Our Common Christian Ministry

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. " - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

I often quote verse 17 referencing our new life by faith in Christ. But did you know that every Christian, every born-again believer, has been given a ministry. It is pretty simple actually but can be incredibly difficult. We all have the ministry of reconciliation. Showing the world the life God intended for mankind.  

We are to live our lives in that context. Showing the world changed lives. Doing through the power of God what is out of reach for those who are lost. We are ambassadors - God's representatives to a world headed for hell. And so the Epistles in the New Testament are full of admonitions to put the world behind us and the Cross before us. To trust God and not ourselves. 

As Christians we are to love God with every fiber of our being and let that relationship reveal itself by the way we live and love others. The kind of love that every human being longs for but fails to find apart from faith in Christ.

If you choose to compromise your calling and embrace the world and things that are contrary to your holy calling as an ambassador, then you are like the one who put their light under a basket. 

"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 5:14-16

You have said "No!" to God. You won't see it that way. The temptation to do that is strong. Like all temptation, it can seem harmless enough. You don't have to stand on a street corner with a sign telling people to repent. Being an ambassador - preaching the word of reconciliation can be as simple as how you live your life - how you treat others. The love you show to others. What does that look like?

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." - 1 Corinthains 13:4-7

I am reminded of a song by Dionne Warwick, "What the World Needs Now". 

"Lord, we don't need another mountain. There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb. There are oceans and rivers enough to cross. Enough to last until the end of time. 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No, not just for some but for everyone"

The love she sang about is the Love of God demonstrated through the lives of His children - His ambassadors. You!

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