by David Brenneman
"We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Whether you realize it or not, once you accept Jesus as your Savior, you become His ambassador. God immediately empowers you through His indwelling Spirit to be an influential bridge builder to those around you who need to know Christ. You're surrounded by people who don't know about His amazing provision and are headed to hell because of it. His desire is for you to reach out to them. They may think they don't need Christ and want to be left alone. But realize that everyone wants to be loved accepted, and freed from their sins. You can be the one to share all Christ has done for them and how much He cares.
Unfortunately, we often get distracted from this mission. We
spend our lives as Christians pursuing our own happiness, prosperity, comfort, and authority. But that's just the overflow. Our true
purpose is to represent Jesus to the lost and introduce them to Him
Just as Christ built the costly and everlasting bridge between us
and the Father, we do the same between others and His awesome
provision.
God has made you to be an extension of Jesus' life, love, power,
and wisdom to those around you. See yourself as He does and be
the best ambassador you can be.
Jesus, help me to reach others in Your name, Amen.
-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.
What we're to be doing in Christ isn't living for self. Studying God's Word isn't for others in Christ with the passion or motivation, it's for everyone in Christ. Praying isn't to be just a repeating of the same words, it's to be our thoughts and feelings being conveyed to our Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even when we don't know what to say, we're to join Him where He is in prayer with reverence.
"Not my job" has been an exceedingly overused phrase for more than a few generations now.
People not willing to put forth the effort to actually work at something to achieve something good. They just want what they want when they want it.
A life in Christ isn't supposed to be like the lives of everyone else in the world.
It's not about pursuing things that the world says we ought to pursue.
As Dr. Stanley said it, so does the Scriptures: we are Ambassadors of God in Christ Jesus.
Ambassadors, much like dedicated soldiers, deny personal self-interests daily in order to please those whom they're there to represent.
To not be following through with growing in Christ to the best of our ability is to be shirking our duties and responsibilities as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.
To be putting self before our God is never going to end well.
How much time do you invest in the study of God's Word? How consist are you? How dedicated are you in your commitment to this endeavor?
How personal are your prayers? Are they more or less akin to a standard form letter that indeed most people in the physical world hate to receive?
Hearts and lives that are moved by the truth of God's Word are what Jesus loves to see. Read 2 Chronicles 34 about King Josiah. Of what is said of him by the Lord Jesus.
Him and several other Kings who's hearts were turned to serving the Lord had reforms to remove the evil the wicked things from Jerusalem and Israel. The Lord was well pleased to see their hearts rended and become tender to the things of God.
Casting out those things that harmed their relationship with the Lord was a common theme for those who did choose to follow the Lord and obey Him only.
What do you need to cast out in order to return to being the Ambassador that you are in the name of the Lord?
What has taken the Lord's place in your heart when you spend your time, energy and effort living life?
It's the responsibility of every single Believer in Jesus Christ to be pursuing their life in Christ to the utmost. With fervor. With their everything.
Our prayers ought to be exceedingly personal. We, after all, have a personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Share your feelings, not just your lists of wants and desires or even wishes.
Scripture says that in everything give thanks to God. Do you? For the good and bad?
Scripture says we should pray for those who are in authority over us. Do you?
How committed are you really being in your life towards fulfilling your calling in Christ? You absolutely have a calling in Christ since coming to Christ for salvation. Scripture says that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you would walk in them.
Scripture says that it itself is everything that you need to live a life in godliness. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Nobody who is truly saved will have any acceptable excuse for not having done their best as unto the Lord. It's why we must do as Paul wrote...run the race set before us. Running as though we're intent on winning a prize.
So, Ambassador, what are you going to start changing in your life today to start fulfilling your role?
Renewing your commitment perhaps?
Ask the Spirit to show you what you should be studying. I did many years ago and it's really been life altering. My only regret is that I didn't ask decades ago with the same desire to please my Savior.
We removed things from our lives to make room for our commitments to serving and learning our Lord Jesus Christ. You may need to do this too. Just as King Josiah did.
Start today with pursuing a right relationship with Jesus again. Turning away from the things that don't help you to grow in Christ.
And honestly, if you're truly committed to this, pray that God would show you what needs to change if you're not seeing it. Be prepared for what comes next...even if it's painful...do it.
Open up your heart the way you always should have been in your prayers.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
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