"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Through the course of the 47 years of our Christian life, Martie and I have crossed paths with a number of missionaries. Missionaries in the sense of people who had left their secular vocations for full time Christian service in in this country or another country to minister to another people group. In fact, for the past 18 years we have considered ourselves to be among them. We left our secular life for full time Christian service. Setting aside what most people in the U.S would consider the "normal life" choosing personal sacrifice of relationships and comforts for another way of living. Many people have commented on how much they have admired us for following the path that we continue to tread. But I sensed that, at the same time, what they were not saying is that they were thankful that God had not called them to that same life of service.
Listening to a sermon this past Sunday that was focused on the verses in 2 Corinthians 5, I was reminded that those thankful people were all mistaken. God has called us - all of us - to a life of Christian service. That in fact, we are all ambassadors - so that God can make His appeal to the Lost to trust Jesus through us. Perhaps you have thought that you were not entitled to be part of that group because you are still imperfect. With respect to your flesh, your old nature, - you are right to think that because you are. We all are and but for God's grace and mercy we would still be Hell bound. With respect to your new nature - you are wrong. It is your new spiritual nature that God calls to His service.
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16
Do people know you are a Christian? By know I mean that you communicate that not just by your words but by the way you live your live in your secular setting. There is no place on earth that you might go where you can escape a secular culture. Whether it is just outside of your front door or in the middle of a remote jungle. Wherever you are on this planet you are a stranger, a foreigner. You are also an ambassador - a missionary, if you will.
I don't cut the grass anymore. I pay someone to do it. Better than I could or would. Many think that being an ambassador or missionary means that you are paid to be one. Not true. You are saved, destined to be one. If you think that you can be obedient in your Christian life by saying nothing and doing nothing - just stuff your faith under a basket saving it for Sundays and when you are home or around other Christians - you are wrong.
God is making His appeal to the world that it needs Jesus through you or at least that is His intent. Jesus did His part - now its our turn.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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