Is reconciliation and forgiveness for lost people already accomplished?
Yes. Scripture declares that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. So far as the reconciliation of lost man and forgiveness are concerned, the work has already been accomplished at the cross. Everything has been done to bring lost people to that place of reconciliation, and believers are entrusted with that word.
Les explains that the work of the cross has made it possible for lost people to be reconciled to God, so they can close the gap and no longer face eternity separated from a holy God. The text says God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. Les emphasizes that so far as the reconciliation of lost man and forgiveness are concerned, it is already accomplished. God has paid it all—'Jesus paid it all'—and believers have been given the ministry and word of reconciliation to let a lost world know everything already done on their behalf. Les points out the waste of saying God paid it all and then adding, 'yeah but, we've got to do this, we've got to do that.'
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.