Shining Forth

How well are you representing Christ today? Are your words, works, and will pleasing unto the Lord?

This week’s lesson reminds us of our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ. The key verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20), formally appoints us as an ambassador and requiring us to be right with God.

Every born again believer is appointed as an ambassador. The challenge for us is to accept the role and faithfully perform the ministry of reconciliation, which is to spread the message of the goods news of the Gospel. We are to be a beacon to the lost world – shining forth the light of the life-changing and soul-saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mat 5:16).

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” reminds us of the awesome transforming power of Christ’s work on the cross. A true believer, not a pretender, is genuinely changed from the inside out. Holiness is not an option for the sincere believer – mere head knowledge of salvation is insufficient, there must be evidence of spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness. There is no such thing as a carnal believer. (Mat. 7:20—23; Luke 6:46—49; Luke 13:23—28; John 15:8; 1 Peter 1:15,16). Let it not be one of us who should hear the Savior say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:23).

We are blessed by the Apostle Paul’s excellent example of being an effective representative of Christ throughout his ministry. His ministry was characterized by purity; spiritual wisdom or knowledge; kindness; long-suffering; empowered by the Spirit; genuine love; upheld the word of truth; relied on the power of God; and used the armor of righteousness – may our ministry be characterized by the same qualities.