Throughout Scripture, God’s people are told to share the gospel
with others, making disciples and bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ. Each Christian may be gifted to do specific tasks, but all of us share
one job description . . .
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Ambassadors live in a foreign country representing their homeland.
For instance, David MacNaughton is the Canadian ambassador to the United States.
He lives in the US and represents the interests of Canada to the American
government. In that same way, the people of God are citizens of heaven and we
live here on earth to represent the interests of God’s kingdom to the people of
this world.
This is an enormous task. People groups number in the
thousands. A huge percentage have never heard the good news of how to be
reconciled to God. Many of them cannot read or write, and certainly do not have
the Scriptures. Translation work is tedious. Learning a new language is a great
challenge for those who are taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to other lands. Not
everyone can go. Not everyone is even called to preach in their own land . . .
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14–15)
While preachers need to be “sent” or called to this special
task, God designates everyone in His family to be ambassadors wherever they
are. I live in a small condo complex of fifteen bungalows. Heaven is my home,
but God put me here to share Christ with my neighbors, friends, and family. On occasion,
He can prompt me to share with strangers. This is part of His plan to glorify Christ
as He seeks and saves the lost.
Not only are God’s people to be engaged in this task, God is
not limited by our limitations. He does not need a pulpit or a television
broadcast. Sometimes His “preacher” is the Holy Spirit who can whisper truth
into human hearts, even Scripture and faith can happen by hearing God in this
most direct way. I’ve heard from reliable witnesses that He is doing this in
the Middle East and many have responded in faith, even though their faith means
great persecution and even though they cannot attend any Christian meetings.
While I deeply care for and respect our pastor, if I relied
on only him to hear from God, my theology would have holes in it. Not only
that, Sunday’s message would have to fit every spiritual need all week, which
is ridiculous. God calls me to read and study His Word, to gather my own daily
bread. He uses it to build my faith, inform me of His plans, and encourage me
as I seek to obey Him. My pastor cannot hold my hand like the Holy Spirit does,
nor can I take a radio or television preacher with me wherever I go.
^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, I am so grateful that You said, “My sheep hear my
voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Sometimes this role
of sheep/ambassador seems too challenging, yet hearing Your voice and having
the guidance You give is precious and vital. Please keep refining my ability to
hear and obey, to represent You well in the daily situations of life. I want to
glorify You, tell others about You, and bring heaven into the lives of others.
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