AMBASSADORS

 
November 30, 2022                                    AMBASSADORS
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespassed against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God was entreating through us; we beg you on the behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Ambassadors have an important role to play; while they are abroad, they represent, and speak for the country that appointed them as ambassadors. Being ambassadors for Christ is a much greater role than that of representing an earthly country. It is amazing that God has made us His ambassadors; He has appointed us to represent His kingdom here on earth! A key point in the passage above deals with reconciliation. The big picture of what God wants is for man to be reconciled to Him. One definition of reconciliation is “the restoration of friendly relations.” The main objective of Christ coming and be crucified for our sins was to reconcile us to God; because of what Jesus did on our behalf, “we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Those who know Christ as Savior have been reconciled; now they are to about the ministry of reconciliation-encouraging others to be reconciled to God. A word about reconciliation; obviously, when one accepts Christ as Savior, they are reconciled to God; their sins have been forgiven and they have fellowship with God. The fellowship we have with God is something that must be maintained; it is possible for a believer to revert back to living according to the flesh. Yes, we have been reconciled to God, but we must be continually walking according to the Spirit and  desiring to do the things that are pleasing to Him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we need to live like we have been reconciled. Because we are ambassadors for Christ, we need to live in a way that is in keeping with His kingdom and His ways. Ambassadors do not punch a clock-they have no off days. Being an ambassador for Christ certainly impacts how I conduct myself; my actions, the words I speak, and my attitude should reflect Jesus, who I represent to all. As we interact with others, it should be our heart to see them reconciled to God; not only it is to be our heart, we should also be proactive in encouraging them to be reconciled to God. We must remember that that is why Christ came; He came to reconcile man to Himself, and He has given us a ministry of reconciliation. Let us resist the world’s philosophy that tells us to ‘live and let live.’
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Blessings,
Buddy