-November 2, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God was pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God”
(2 Corinthians 5:20).
As believers we have a responsibility to represent Christ to the world as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is defined as, “an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.” This describes us: we represent the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God in sinful world.
We are living in hostile, enemy territory. God has called us to be citizens of heaven while living on earth. Heaven is our home. We live in the world but we are of the world. We have different values, different priorities. God wants us be represent Him in our character, conduct, and conversation. We are role models pointing others to our Savior.
• Character – Our character reflects who we are. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. David was a man after God’s own heart. Our Lord is concerned about our honesty, integrity, sincerity, and willingness before Him and others. Paul said in Acts 24:16, “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”
• Conduct – Our conduct is how we live our lives in a godly and practical way. If we are Christians we need to live the life of Christ. Our walk should match our talk. Peter wrote, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout your stay (or sojourning) here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17). People around us are watching our behavior, which is a reflection on our Lord. Our testimony is so important important; it takes years to build it up, but we can lose it in a moment.
• Conversation – The words we speak are vital. Foul language, empty words, course jesting, and gossip can ruin our testimony very fast. We have to speak the language of heaven, which is the language of love. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is necessary for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Colossians 4:6 tells us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you ought to answer each one.”
Let us then be ambassadors for Christ in our character, conduct, and conversation each day in every way. Have a blessed day representing Christ our King. May others see Christ in us. Stay safe and healthy.
Living like Jesus by day and night, being His servants, living right in His sight,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 