History of Redemption: Blog Post 34
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ. - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15;18;20 ESV.
Have I embraced my identity as an ambassador for Christ? Have I surrendered control of my life, so that I can truly say that the love of Christ controls me? Have I grieved over the sins for which Jesus was crucified, and trusted in the forgiveness offered by Him? Once I have done this, I will no longer live for myself, but for Him who for my sake died and was raised. Then I will live as an ambassador for Christ.
Have I recognized my need to be reconciled to God? Have I seen the great chasm that existed between my wretched sinful state and God’s state of perfect Holiness? How deeply have I felt the weight of God’s wrath bearing down on me, ready to crush me in an instant? Only once I have come to recognize my need to be reconciled to God, will I live as an ambassador for Christ.
Do I truly believe that Jesus died in my place, taking upon Himself the punishment for my sins? Do I truly believe that He was crucified, died, and was buried? Do I truly believe that He was raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God? Do I truly believe that He is now “head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23)? When I do, I will no longer live for myself, but will live as an ambassador for Christ.
What is an ambassador? It is one who represents a nation to a foreign group, carrying with them an agenda or message. For us who have surrendered ourselves to Christ, we are called to represent Christ among a people who do not know Him. We are called to carry His message to a people who are devoted to another god. We are called to carry His Light to a people living in darkness. We have been chosen, and called, and bought by the blood of Jesus, that we may now GO, and represent Christ among the nations that are hostile to Him. We do this gently, and humbly, and lovingly, but we do this emboldened by His great power, knowing that victory has already been won. Being an ambassador is an honor and a privilege. It is exciting and will often take us to far off lands, meeting new cultures and new peoples. And it is dangerous, and will often bring with it pain and trial. But when you believe that the cause you are representing, and the message that you carry, is WORTHY of your life, then your identity as an ambassador for Christ will bring you more joy than you can ever imagine.
“To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20).