What Does It Mean to be His Ambassador?
As His ambassador, God so desires to make His appeal through me (paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 5:15-20). I no longer live for myself but for Christ, therefore, I am to regard no one according to worldly standards and values. In Christ, I have been made new and the old is gone. Having been reconciled to God through Christ and made new by the Holy Spirit, I have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation.
Ambassador – an authorized messenger or representative. In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:20, ambassadors are those appointed by God to declare His will. An interesting note:To do injury to an ambassador was to insult the King who sent him. Therefore, God is insulted when His ambassadors are injured.
I am to forget the former things and not dwell on the past for God is making things new (Isaiah 16:18). In doing so, I can forget what is behind me and strain toward what is ahead pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13b-14).
Now I must examine myself as to how I am living my life as His ambassador.
Am I stuck in the past?
Have I regarded others according to worldly standards and views?
How am I handling His message of reconciliation?
Am I straining toward what is ahead and pressing on to win the prize?
I must be honest and say that I am not doing a very good job at it but I know that with His help I can do better and strive to be His ambassador and carry forth His message of reconciliation.
My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that I am not doing a good job as Your ambassador. I struggle to refrain from using worldly standards and values when regarding others. I do not handle Your message of reconciliation properly. Forgive me Lord. Cause me to be a better ambassador and give me grace to handle Your message. Amen.
