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Ambassadors for Christ
George Stroh
August 3, 2020
To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; They have no delight in it. (Jeremiah 6:10)
As Jeremiah lamented, we too live in a country that is hostile to God and His word. Nevertheless, as Christians, we are also called to proclaim the word of God even though most people have no delight in it; Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
As His ambassadors, it is our privilege to make the invisible Christ visible. First, everything we say and do, needs to be consistent with our new life in Christ; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Fairly or unfairly, we are being constantly observed and scrutinized, especially by those who knew us before we trusted Christ. It is hard to separate the messenger (or ambassador) from the message and as ambassadors for Christ, we must be careful not to be seen as hypocrites. The old adage, "You may be the only bible that someone reads" is true.
Secondly, as ambassadors for Christ, we must be ready, willing and able to boldly proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) Yes, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. But just as God caused us to hear and believe the gospel, He may, in His grace and mercy, use our verbal witness and testimony to save some. And God is glorified and honored whenever His word is proclaimed by His ambassadors..
As ambassadors for Christ, we can expect rejection and suffering for boldly proclaiming the gospel. Our dear friend Larry Wright once said, "I would rather suffer in obedience than prosper in disobedience; Because both my suffering and my prospering are temporary." The Apostle Peter, who suffered greatly for the gospel wrote; But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:13, 14)
Maranatha!
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