Ambassadors for Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 KJV; Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord; baptized into the Body of Christ we have been made new and reconciled to God; therefore, we are now not just children of God; but, ambassadors for Christ.

Reconcilded Through Christ

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. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:19-20 KJV)

What a gift!  Even though we don't in any way deserve to be united with the Father, by the blood of Christ that was shed for us, we are!  Thanks be to God! 

I cannot think of anyone or anything that could bring me more joy than being in a close relationship with God our Creator and our Father! Just think about it. We who were not his children are now his children! Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

New Creatures Are Reconciled

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

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.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

                                                                                  (2 Cor 5:17-21 KJV)

Reconciliation seems to be the last thing on most of our politicians minds. They really seem to like attacking one another. One would think they have better things to do. As they call for unity, they stir up division. The devil must be enjoying himself immensely.

For God our Father calls us to unity. He calls us to be reconciled to Himself and to one another. He desires it so much that He sent His only begotten Son, who knew no sin to be sin for us. Our sin was crucified on his cross. Yet, it seems like we really want our sin to be resurrected as we continue to live in sin. 

Have the old things really passed away? If not, we have the opportunity to start anew every single minute of every single day. We have the opportunity to repent; to change our ways. 

If we are new creatures in Christ then let us be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming the Kingdom of God purchased for all people through his blood. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Representing Christ

Does what you wear and say and do represent Christ or a false god?

"So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinth 5:20

What exactly does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ? How are we to represent him?

When I served as a chaplain at a juvenile correction facility, I often asked the young men, who professed to be Christian, if they were going to continue to represent their old gangs or if they would represent Jesus. I recall a story one young man shared about how he had become involved in a gang fight outside of a church. He and his friend had worn their colors to worship as did a couple of rival gang members and a fight ensured. Imagine that! They all belonged to the same congregation. After he told the story, and having heard it spoken aloud by himself, he realized what he had done. He had put his gang affiliation before God and before the family of God. He had been practicing idolatry in a house of worship. He had been blatantly representing his gang rather than Jesus in the church of Jesus Christ.

Most of us are a little more cautious about our conduct inside of a church building. We want to look and act like representatives of Christ within the context of a congregation. But, what about outside the church building? The Church is; after all, not a building. Who or what are we ambassadors for when we go out into the world?

May God help us to be more aware of our call to be ambassadors of Christ, proclaiming the Good News of his Kingdom for all who would believe in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J