Ambassadors

"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."

(2 Corinthians 5:20)

I feel like God is beginning to stir a new thing in my heart - one of those monumental life altering God-ordained things that is going to be far deeper and more complex than one simple blog post can possibly convey.  That being said, because it is being so deeply impressed upon my heart right now, I cannot help but write some of my most recent thoughts out.  Perhaps someone else will be on a similar page and can relate, or at the very least be encouraged and blessed by some God-breathed Scripture ...

So the question most posed upon my heart lately is the following: In what ways do I look different than the world?  I mean, do we even grasp what it truly means to be labeled as Christ's ambassadors - His representatives?  Are we fully comprehending that we have been charged with the holy calling to be reconciled to God, that others would know Him through our lives?

I am so extremely convicted lately by the apathetic attitude I have had toward the high calling that has been placed upon my life as a believer in Jesus.  You and I have been given specific instruction throughout the Word of God on how to be the hands and feet of Jesus ... We have been given specific instruction on how to be the church, the hope of the world.  Half of us are walking around searching for hope for our own lives - as depressed and as despaired as those who do not know Jesus - when we are the ones who are supposed to be the example of hope to the entire world!  

So what does it mean to be reconciled to God?  To reconcile implies mutual change.  You and I are called to reconcile completely, changing from one condition to another.  This means in a nutshell that as children of the light, we are to look completely opposite from darkness.  How's that going?  

Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to become imitators of Christ:  "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."  

We are supposed to look different.  What is it with believers lately that we think we have to look like unbelievers in order to win them over for Christ?  Paul himself tells us in Ephesians 5 that we are to look totally different than those who do not know Christ: "Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light; for everything that becomes visible is light" (Ephesians 5:7-13).

Are you and I okay with not looking like everyone else?  I mean, really ... Are we?  This type of lifestyle  - one that is pleasing to God and worthy of being labeled as an ambassador of Christ - takes intention.  It takes intention and it takes effort.  Ephesians 5:15-17 says: "Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of God is."  And how will we become wise?  

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 

but fools despise wisdom and instruction." 

(Proverbs 1:7)  

So basically any one of us who know what the Word of God says and do not do it - we are fools.  [Ouch.]  You and I have been redeemed by the will and the power of God.  This is a huge deal.  It should completely and utterly alter our lives - so much so, that we absolutely despise darkness just as much as we hunger for righteousness.  

Hmm ... A lot to ponder, wouldn't you say?  

Do you look different than the world?  

Are you partaker ... Or an ambassador?