Is the reconciliation and forgiveness of lost people already accomplished or still pending?
The work of the cross has already accomplished reconciliation and forgiveness for lost people. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and not imputing their trespasses. Everything has been done to bring them to reconciliation; believers now carry the word of reconciliation to a lost world.
Les explains that the cross has made it possible for lost people to be reconciled to God, closing the gap so they need not face eternity separated from a holy God. He stresses that everything has been done to bring them to that place of reconciliation—Jesus paid it all. In verse 18, all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation. Verse 19 says God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses. So far as the reconciliation and forgiveness of lost man is concerned, it is already accomplished. Believers are to let a lost world know everything already done on their behalf.
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.