“First Things First”

2 Corinthians 5: 19: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” One common approach to evangelism is to find someone, point out all their sins, remind them that they’re separated from God—then call this good news. That might not be the word of reconciliation St. Paul endorses here. A more proper strategy would be to lead with the Gospel: that He Who knew no sin became sin on our behalf (v. 21), and God is not counting their trespasses. Now is the day of salvation, not the day of condemnation (6: 2; John 3: 17).