Discover His heart: “And God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him.”
When election time rolls around, we have an opportunity to choose by ballot individuals who are elected to represent us in the federal and state governments. Compared to many forms of governing around the world, this system of representative government is desirable over dictatorships and communism. However, we run into problems when the representatives choose not to represent their constituents and succumb to pure politics. Any time representatives or ambassadors fail to perform their duties, there is a breakdown in communication and the system fails. May we never be guilty of failing to serve faithfully in our roles as ambassadors.
@2 Corinthians 5
“And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him…So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (18-20)
Just like Paul, as believers in Jesus, we are His ambassadors. Just what we need – another task! We are already spinning so many, many plates – providing income, meals, clean clothes, clean homes, raising children. Where would we find the time to be an ambassador? An ambassador is an official representative of a country or organization. The definition alone is daunting, yet our message is so simple: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.” (17-18)
I guess I would feel pretty silly, being His representative and all, to stand before Him one day and explain that I was just too busy washing those dishes, frying that bacon or working on the job to tell someone the simple truth of His gift of love. Paul wrote, “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.” (21) It is a simple message but one with a profound impact.
@ 2 Corinthians 4
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God…Yes we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus.” (8-11) I can’t help but think of missionaries when I read this – heroes willing to leave their homes, families and friends and venture out to parts unknown around the world as His ambassadors. They can’t help it. It’s all they know to do with the task of sharing the wonderful message of reconciliation with those who do not know about it. Like Paul, many of them face difficult situations and even death, but they would say with Paul, “But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, ‘I believed in God, so I spoke…’” (13)
Will I speak today to that troubled co-worker or neighbor? Will I share God’s love with the unhappy sales clerk or waitress who so desperately needs Him? Will I speak, “Come back to God! Come back to God!”
Moving Forward: Today I pray that I won’t be able to keep from sharing His wonderful message of reconciliation with those who don’t know Him. When I stand before God one day, a clean house or my job performance really won’t matter. He’ll be looking for those I brought along with me.
Tomorrow @ Exodus 17-20
Phyllis Benigas 