Day 15
Ambassadors for Christ
Not only does the Bible teach that we are a “Royal Priesthood” in Christ, but it also says in II Corinthians 5:20 that we are “Ambassadors for Christ.” As priests we represent mankind to God; as ambassadors for Christ we represent God to mankind. As priests we lift the needs up toward God; as ambassadors we allow the Glory of God to flow down to us and through us for man to see-not to see who we are but to see who God is. Paul said in II Corinthians 5:20, “therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.” To be an ambassador is a high honor and a great privilege.
When King Solomon was praying to the Lord in the dedication of the temple, he asked God to look not only upon them but also on the foreigner who would pray to God, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel.” (II Chronicles 6:33). God’s heart has always been that all of His creation would turn to Him and trust in Him. The temple was a testimony of the power and the presence of God in the midst of His people. Today through Christ the New Testament teaches us that our bodies are now the Temple of God, II Corinthians 6:19. God chooses to reside in us today through His Spirit for the same reasons He chose to reside in the Temple amongst the nation of Israel. One of the main reasons is so that the lost people of the world may know Him through His presence within us. As an ambassador, we do not promote our own agenda or our own plans or even our own ideas. Everything we do points to the one of whom we represent. We have the great advantage as ambassadors of Christ; for the God whom we represent dwells within us.
As Christians we are in this world but are not of this world. We are foreigners in a foreign land. This world is naturally hostile toward the things of God; yet, we are called to represent God in this hostile world. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 3:12, “indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” When we simply try to blend in with the world and not allow Christ to shine through us, we not only dishonor the Lord; but we also do this world an injustice. The world thinks that their way of living is okay, that they are on the right track, and that they have everything figured out. However, they will never find peace, joy or any sense of contentment in what this world has to offer. I believe that God has put a natural void in the heart of every man that longs for God, and that void cannot be filled by anything else. When the people of the world see the joy, the peace, and the sense of satisfaction in the lives of a Christian, they are then confronted with the realization that something is missing in their lives.
We have already discussed that the church is the only institution upon this earth through which God has chosen to work. Whether operating in our priestly role or ministering in our role as ambassadors, we work through the central headquarters of the church. The church is a spiritual embassy of the Kingdom of God. It is strategically placed in the local level all throughout the world to minister to the people who are members of its kingdom while living in this foreign land. However, God’s embassy has another purpose as well. As the ambassadors of Christ represent the Lord in this hostile land, many come to the realization that the world of which they are citizens is destroying them, consuming their very lives and devouring everything they are. The embassy of the Kingdom of God offers to them spiritual asylum found only in Christ. It offers them a transfer in citizenship from a citizen of this world, of which Satan is in control, to a citizenship in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief (devil) comes only to steal kill and destroy; but I have come to give you life and to give it to you abundantly.”
In II Corinthians 5, just prior to Paul saying we are ambassadors for Christ, he talked about the ministry of reconciliation. To reconcile with someone is to end a conflict with them. The world is in conflict with God. James said in James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” The world is under the control of the devil; yet, God’s desire is to redeem everyone from the bondage of this world and the control of Satan. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:18, 19, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” The whole purpose of the cross is to redeem people out of the world and into God’s grace-from being a foe to being family.
The plan and purpose of God is clear. It is to reconcile this world unto Himself. God chooses to use the church for that plan. We must understand that the church is not a building, a location, or an address. It is God’s people assembled together. For the first 300 years of Christianity, there were no “church” buildings. They met in houses or other public places. Is it, therefore, sinful to have buildings? Of course not. However, I do believe that many of the children of God today have become lost in their buildings and have forgotten the fact that God’s heart is to reconcile this world unto Himself. Some things need to be done in our buildings. However, if we refuse (as God’s children and as God’s church) to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, we have then become rebellious and sinful. This idea of opening the front doors of the building and saying to the community “Ya’ll come” doesn’t work. The reason why it doesn’t work is because that wasn’t God’s design. Jesus said, “Go”. (Matthew 28:19). Paul stated this great purpose of the church in Ephesians 3:10: “so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” We cannot be ambassadors while residing in our own land.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” I believe we have not been the witnesses that Jesus said “we shall be” because the power of the Holy Spirit has not come upon us. The power of the Holy Spirit has not come upon us because we have been playing church rather than earnestly seeking God as we should. We choose to play by our own rules rather than follow God’s. However, when we begin to pray and earnestly seek God as we should and live in obedience to Him; God will allow the power of the Holy Spirit to fall down upon us. When the power of the Holy Spirit falls, we will be so compelled to be God’s witnesses that no power on earth or in the spiritual realm will be able to stop us. We can debate as to what the signs of someone being filled with the spirit are, but one thing is clear when you read through the book of Acts. People who are filled with God’s spirit are being witnesses for Jesus. They are being ambassadors for Christ.
Day 15 Prayer Guide
- Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
- Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
- Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
- Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
- Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
- Pray that all Christians will understand the depth of their salvation and as a result surrender to total service unto God.
- Pray that church will understand, and stand up to its calling.
- Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
- Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
- Pray that our churches will be a shining light upon the hill.
- Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
- Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
- Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
- Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
- Pray that all Christians would take seriously their role as royal ambassadors and live a life of fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation.
- Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
- Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
- Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
- Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
- Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
- Pray for the safety, protection, and influence of Christians who are being persecuted.
Comments