II Corinthians 5:20
Let’s begin this topical discussion by posing a question, what is an ambassador? An ambassador is one who represents another or country. In this case, we as believers represent Christ. As stated in our scripture verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.” What does the word “beseech” means? It means to search out or seek after. How did God seek after humanity? It was through Christ’s atoning death on the cross that God removed the sin barrier and opened the way for mankind to return to Him. Christ’s reconciliation became effective for each believer through his or her personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at what happens when believers accept Christ as their personal savior, first the believer admits he/her is a sinner, second, the believer confesses his/her sins, and third, turn from their sinful ways. What happens during this process is the believer is freed from the bondage of sin, and then made right with God (justified), then set aside (sanctified), and then the believer is born again (regenerated). This is when believers become new creatures in Christ and in doing so we become Christ’s ambassadors who can speak boldly for Him in all parts of the world. This is our witness. Another school of thought, the church as a body of baptize believers, the church is called to a ministry or reconciliation which is calling all persons to be reconciled to back God.
Verse 21 talks about believers being made “the righteousness of God in him.” By Christ taking on humanity sins, He made it possible for God to justly forgive sinners and thusly believers became the children of God as new creatures. Other points in this scripture are that (a) believer’s character and moral state is founded upon and flows from the believer’s faith in Christ. (b) The believer is to live for Christ, (c) to be controlled by “the love of Christ.” (d) Has become a “new creature” in Christ. (e) We are to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation as representatives of God and His righteousness in this world.
Another note of believer’s righteousness of God is that His righteousness is manifested and experienced by remaining in Christ. Additionally, believers are to live in union and fellowship with Christ as we become the righteousness of God, in so doing the believer’s ambassadorship is felt around the world.
In closing this brief discussion, how is your ambassadorship? Are we pointing others to Christ? The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.
Read and be blessed.
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WILLIE B. WHITE
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