Tag: ambassadors

Beloved Ambassadors of Reconciliation

by Ms. Rita's Minute

2 Corinthians 5:20

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

What an honorable responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ. As such we have the exciting assignment to encourage reconciliation to God. As ambassadors, we are representatives. The Greek word, presbeuó, indicates those who represent Christ and speak for Him. We are authorized by Christ to act as diplomats speaking on his behalf.

Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations, with the key word here being restoration. When we restore something, we reinstitute or bring it back. We repair or renovate it returning it to its original condition. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “reconciliation” refers to the process of restoring friendship or harmony after a disagreement, settling a dispute, or making conflicting ideas or things consistent. This is what Christ has done for us. He has made a way of restoration to our place in God before man’s fall through sin.

Accepting the Father’s son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior, we become one with Him as his Body and He is the head. We recognize God’s kingdom instructions as those principles we choose to live and love by.

When we think of representing Christ, we endeavor to show the utmost behavior encompassing love, compassion and humility toward others. To represent someone well, also entails speaking on their behalf effectively and accurately. This includes understanding their position, communicating their needs, and advocating for their interests while maintaining integrity and respect.

With the propensity to err and encounter our personal insecurities and weaknesses, God still chooses to grace us with the posture of 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Moreover, the fact of the matter is the wonderful message of how we are reconciled. Romans 5:8-11 tells us that “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

In giving us this amazing position in Christ, He has provided us with additional heavenly help as His ambassadors: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

My prayer is that we will all represent the Lord well, wherever we find ourselves in life.

How to Represent Christ

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Ever think about who or what we as individuals represent? Thankfully, the Bible tells us that believers are ambassadors for Christ, beloved children, a chosen race and royal priesthood, and God’s workmanship among other things. (2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:10).

However, sometimes, in our attempts to live as faithful Christians, we struggle with the battle between flesh and spirit, desiring to do what is good, but not carrying it out. Yet God is faithful to walk with us and counsel us as we represent Him effectively on the earth.

It’s important to note that the Bible tells us that 1 John 2 was written so that we will not sin, “but if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous one. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.“

So, as Christ’s representatives, loving is important, and understanding what it means to love is critical. The truth is seen in Christ and us: loving one another and living in the light, versus hating one another and living in darkness. Further, His Bible tells us the word of God lives in us and we have overcome the evil one! Now, our message as ambassadors or representatives of Christ is “Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20/NIV).

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19/NIV)

In addition, where there’s no place like home, as representatives of Christ:

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18/NLT)

“Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.” (Colossians 3:19/NLT)

“Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20/NLT)

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17/NLT)