2 Corinthians 5:14 – 21
Highlighting – “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (v.14 – 15)
Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him. We are Christ’s ambassadors. What is an ambassador? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it’s a person sent as the chief representative of his or her government in another country. A simple definition, they’re an authorized representative or messenger, or an unofficial representative. The definition I love the most is the former because it perfectly depicts who we are as Christians. Our citizenship is not on Earth, but in Heaven, so while we live on Earth we are to represent those things that are Godly and Heavenly – we are to emulate Jesus Christ.
God has reconciled us back to Him through what Christ has done for us on the cross. Jesus Christ took our sin so that we may be made righteous in Him to God (Romans 3:22 – 26). We’ve been made righteous not by works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Now that we are new creatures in Him, let’s be sure we are impactful representatives of His by the power of the Holy Spirit who is working in us (Acts 1:8). I’m sure you’ve heard, you may be the only Bible someone reads. How have you showed Christ through your actions or words today? We must be careful of our conduct whether with our brothers and sisters in Christ or with those who do not know Jesus. It is worse for us when we cause other believers to stumble, than when they fall into temptation on their own accord (Mark 9:42). Why you may ask? I think Jesus is so adamant about it being worse for us because we should know better – we’ve been enlightened by the Word of God. If we are completely surrendered to Him, there are things we would not do or engage in for the sake of the gospel. In Romans 14:19, Paul encourages us to pursue anything that allows for peace and the building up of one another.
Remember, we no longer live for ourselves, but the One who now lives in us. Old things have passed away, new things have come. Happy Easter!
Dear Father, may I be a true ambassador for Jesus Christ. Help me to die to the flesh daily and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Fill me with Your Spirit until I overflow. I want to show those in the world the wonderful life and awesome inheritance for all who come to this saving faith. In Jesus name I pray, amen!
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