Ambassadors for Christ

Chuckle: Two boys were walking home from church after hearing strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, "What do you think about all this Satan stuff?" The other boy replied, "Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad."

Quote of the Day: "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. It is not enough that a thing be possible for it to be believed." --Francois Voltaire

"We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you. 'Be reconciled to God!' " (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).

The word "Ambassador" is used to describe envoys sent by governments to other nations on occasion as special representatives, messengers and interpreters. Our government appoints ambassadors to countries with whom we have diplomatic relations to represent our interests and to explain, interpret, and promulgate the values of the United States, and to serve the American citizens living in those countries. In our passage the word applies to us as representatives of Christ charged with carrying his message of God's redeeming love and his plan for reconciling sinners to himself.

As believers, we are God's ambassadors, sent into the world with his gospel message of Jesus Christ. This is an awesome and important responsibility, and one that should never be taken lightly. When we speak it is as if God is speaking through us. The Holy Spirit empowers our words and convicts the hearts of those to whom we speak representing Christ. Really, we are allowing God to use us as conduits through whom the gospel message is communicated. Our message is clear: Be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ! The news of reconciliation is not merely good news, but urgent news, entailing consequences of the greatest eternal importance for all people.

A final thought: An ambassador never substitutes his own personal message for the message of the one who sent him or her. We must never alter, water down, or substitute our own words for those of our Heavenly Father. When an ambassador loses his focus and loyalty to the one he represents, he is no longer an ambassador. Likewise, when an ambassador does not accurately convey the message of the One who sends him, he or she becomes a hindrance to God's kingdom work. The message of reconciliation can be summarized as follows:

"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT).

Love, Jerry & Dotse