Diplomat

 Diplomat

In 2 Corinthians Paul states,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20. 

The Oxford dictionary defines Ambassador as, “a diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country.” 

As Christians this is who we are. As such we are tasked with presenting the message of Salvation that comes from God through Christ Jesus.

It is not our job to get involved with the politics of the nation we are in. It is our job to present what we believe to the people of the of the nation we are in.

The message the Christian, the true follower of Christ Jesus was given to us when He said,

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Through the lens of your words and deeds

Through the lens of your words and deeds

To the Corinthians the apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

Whether you like it or not if you claim to be a Christian you are an ambassador for Christ. People will judge Christ through the lense of your words and deeds.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

So if you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus what is your sermon. Your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?

Please think about it.

You are the light

 You are the light 

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Here is something very simple. If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, “you are the light of the world.”

It is through your words and deeds that the people around you will see Jesus. Even if it’s just bowing your head in prayer in a restaurant or talking to your neighbour. 

So my question to those who claim to be Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus, what are you words and deeds saying about Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Live as Servants of God

 Live as servants of God

The apostle Peter writes,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16.

What Peter is saying here is strait forward live as free men. But don’t use that freedom to hide evil and sin. 

We must live as servants of God.

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

As such we need to live holy lives. We need to be individuals who have accepted Gods salvation that comes through Christ Jesus.

Question, when people see your life do they see Christ reflected in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

God's representative

 God's representative 

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

It’s interesting here Jesus speaking tells us WE are the light of the world. The apostle Paul tells us,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  

All this is from God, Simultaneously reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians5:17-20.

Simply put we are Gods representatives on this earth. It is through the lense of our words and deeds that people will see God. Therefore we must live a life that is as close to God as is humanly possible.

We will never be a prefect witness for God. However if we do our best. Asking Gods guidance in all we do. While at the same time being willing to admit our mistakes both to God and anyone we may have wronged, then asking for their forgiveness. We can be an effective ambassador for Christ.

So are you doing your best to represent God to the world around you?

Please think about it.

You're a Light to the world

 You’re a Light to the world

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

I think Christians overlook this scripture sometimes. They forget they are the light of the world. It is through our words and deeds that people will see the light that is Christ Jesus.

All too often people calling themselves Christians do not shine like they should. For a myriad of reasons there are many out there in the world calling themselves Christians but are not. The Apostle Paul stating,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

This is happening particularly in the United states, but also in other countries. 

It is therefor up to the true believer to let their light of the true gospel message shine before all those around them.

If you consider yourself a Christian does your light shine?

Do people know you are a true Christian by both your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Representing Christ

Representing Christ

The apostle Paul wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians5:18-20

Paul makes it clear here, we are Christ’s ambassadors to the world around us. 

An ambassador is a diplomat sent by a state or king as his representative in a foreign country.

Thus if we consider ourselves Christians we must accept the fact that we are diplomats to a country that is not our own. Thus we have to act diplomatically with the people around us. We should never be confrontational.

The apostle Peter states,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

One thing Ambassadors do is present their culture and beliefs to the country where they are posted.

Those belief may not always be the same as the country they are posted in. Added to that the country they are posted in may have radically different views to the ambassadors.

Still a good ambassador will represent his or her country in the best possible light.

As Christians we are called to do this. Being confrontational will only bring conflict and conflict can cost lives.

In the case of Christ causing someone to see Jesus in a negative light could possibly sent someone to a Christless eternity.

So the question becomes; How are you representing Christ?

Please think about it.

Advice from the apostle Paul

  Advice from the apostle Paul

Writing to Timothy the apostle Paul wrote,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

This is all God asks of any Christian to do their best to present yourself to God as one of His workmen who correctly handles the truth of the Gospel.

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are Gods ambassadors. The apostle Paul writing,

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

   We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

As Christians we have an obligation to present God in the best possible light. It’s that simple. We must not force our faith on anyone. Rather we must present what we believe in word and deed to those around us and let them decide for themselves if they wish to have Christ as part of their life.

Please think about it.

A Duty to God

  A duty to God

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

It is important that all who call themselves true followers of Christ Jesus. Realize that we are Gods representative to the world around us. Through our words and deeds people will judge not only us but God.

It is therefor of paramount importance that we represent God in the best possible light. 

Awhile ago there was a popular thing among young adults in particular. They would wear a bracelet that said WWJD (What would Jesus do). This is something we need to think about when we interact with the people around us.

We need to remember the words of Jesus when He said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

If we remember this statement alone it will show people that we care about them and may just reach them for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Please think about it.

You are the church

  Your are the Church

The apostle Paul tells us,

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:22–23.

One definition I found that I believe defines the church states,

“The word Church is translated from the Greek term ekklesia meaning "an assembly" and "to call out" or "the called out ones." 

Thus the Church is not a building. It is a body of believers who are called out to present the word of God to those around them.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

This is the local church an assembly of men and women dedicated to God meeting to honour Him, as well as to pray, break bread together (Communion). To build one another up and encourage one another. Additionally it is the local churches job to make and teach disciples. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20

So if you believe in Christ Jesus. If you call yourself a Christian you are the church. You are Christ’s ambassador. God’s representative to the world around you.

Please think about it.

What are you doing?

  What are you doing?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you truly an ambassador for Christ?

An ambassador is someone who represents his or her nation or king. It is through the lense of the ambassador that people see their nation.

Paul here tells us that through us God is making His appeal to those around us.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.

                                          Francis of Assisi

He also wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus then people are watching not only your words but your deeds also.

Your deeds and words have the power to bring people to Christ or push them away. 

So what are your words and deeds doing? What are you doing?

Please think about it.