“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! … 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. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, 20-21
I love new beginnings. How often do we just want a fresh start? A do-over? I know that salvation is a one-time deal, but I often feel the need to be renewed. A new creation. I’m so thankful that God is faithful to provide it as long as I earnestly seek it.
Paul says that “we” are ambassadors of Christ. I had to read this several times because I wasn’t sure who the “we” was. I didn’t know if it was just Paul and his assistants or if it was referring to all Christians. I decided that it meant both in some mysterious way. That he and his co-workers were ambassadors but the role of ambassador is passed down to all Christians.
I’m pretty sure there weren’t “ambassadors” the way we know them back in Paul’s time, and I admit that I didn’t research the Greek text, so I am going to just trust that the translators did a good job conveying the message. Ambassador. What comes to mind? Sounds important. Fancy. Glamorous. Official. A big responsibility for sure. An Ambassador represents a nation – in another country! An ambassador wouldn’t be very effective if he didn’t leave the embassy. So ambassadors are out in the world, representing who sent them, speaking for their country, but also mindful of the customs of their host country.
So what kind of ambassador am I for Christ in the world? Actually, am I an ambassador at all? I often don’t feel like it. Personally I do fine being out of the embassy and mingling with the foreigners, but I’m not sure I’m the best representative. I often don’t speak words of life. I’m pretty sure I have never “implored” anyone to be reconciled to God on Christ’s behalf. I’ve wanted to, but I never have had the guts to do it.
Lord, I need a fresh start. Make me a better Ambassador of you.
Sixty-six books in a year 