In 2
Corinthians 5:20 we are told that we are Christ's ambassadors; it doesn't say
that we should try to be but we are. So, what is an ambassador? An ambassador
for Christ is a representative of Christ; Jesus is not here in the flesh so we
act as his hands, feet and voice. It sounds like quite a responsibility doesn't
it?
In
Ephesians 6:20 Paul said he was an ambassador in chains and goes on to talk
about witnessing as he also does in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Thus an ambassador is
also a witness. In verse 18 of 2 Corinthians 5 we read that: “And all things
are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to
us the ministry of reconciliation”.
If
you feel like you don't have a ministry then here is one you absolutely do have;
we all do. Seeing as we are ambassadors our lives should be appropriate for
this service; people should see Christ in us (1 Peter 2:12). In other words, we
should be bearing fruit (John 15:8). What does that mean? Well, we should be
coming more and more like Jesus every day; with his love flowing from us (John
13:34) and a heart’s desire to share Jesus with others (1 Peter 3:15). How do
we get there? By abiding in the vine (John
15:5). What does that mean? It means we need to be sold out for Jesus, spending
time in prayer, his word and fellowship with him (Phil 3:8). There are no short
cuts.
As
we press into him (Phil 3:12), we will be changed, including our desires and priorities;
we will become his ambassadors (2 Cor 3:18).
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"But
the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance
of peace." (Ps 37:11; KJV). A very similar scripture is found in Matthew
5:5 in the beatitudes. Meek is not a word we use so much these days and if we
do it doesn't have very inspiring connotations; we think of such a person as
week.
However,
in the New Testament Greek, we see that meekness is far from weakness. Because
as Christians we know who we are and what we have in Christ we can have a quiet
confidence in face of any tests, trials or opposition; this is true meekness. We
have our emotions under control. To be meek is also to walk in humility and submission
to God; to be teachable. The closest English word is gentleness.
In Matthew
21:5 we are told that Jesus came in meekness and in Numbers 12:3 we learn that:
“the man Moses was very meek". Meekness is actually a fruit of the Spirit,
listed in Galatians 5:23; it is usually called gentleness in this reference but
is the same Greek word as in Matthew 5:5. So, as we allow the Holy Spirit to
work within us and develop his fruit then meekness will be evident in our lives.
In
the epistle of Titus, we are exhorted as Christians: “to speak evil of no man,
to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
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“Except the Lord builds the house, they labor
in vain that build it” (Ps 127:1; KJV). What is the foundation for your life?
Are you trusting in your bank account, your career? Those things may build a
living for you but they will not build a life. Jesus said that he came to bring
us an abundant life (John 10:10). This means a superabundant life in every
aspect; prosperity, health, peace and purpose, to name but a few areas.
Gods
eternal life starts now, in the present life and continues forever for the
Christian (1 John 5:11). Jesus taught us about the foundation we need so we can
enjoy the God kind of life (Matt 7:24-27). This foundation is the word of God;
hearing it and doing it. Jesus likened this to putting down a firm foundation
for a house on the rock. He also talked about the foolish man that built on the
sand and the storms of life came and blew his house away; this man chose to
ignore Gods word.
God’s
word is truth, it is also life and the bible tells us that we shall know the
truth and the truth shall set us free. (John 17:17; 8:32) We need to fall in
love with God’s word and commit to spend time in it ahead of all other
priorities (Ps 1:1-2); then we need to commit to do it. Try it, God will change
your life and line it up with his.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
"And
of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." (John 1:16 KJV)
What a wonderful verse and notice that this amazing grace is bestowed on all. Grace
is not dependent on anything that we can do but is God's gift of unmerited favor
and mercy towards all his children (Eph 4:7).
Grace
is a freely given strength and force that empowers us to be and to have all
that God has designed for us (2 Cor 12:9). The apostle Paul taught us that we
are saved by grace and it is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8). In Romans 3:24 we are
told that we are justified by grace. To be justified is simply to be made just
as if we had never sinned. God’s grace is far greater and more powerful than
our sins (Rom 5:20).
Again,
in that verse in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:9), we are assured that God's grace
is sufficient for us; in other words, it enables us to deal with and endure all
our problems and it: “is made perfect in weakness”. God’s grace gives us: “all sufficiency
in all things” that we: “may abound to every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). Wow and double
wow!
Avail
yourself of God's grace today - meditate on it, speak it and receive it.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
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others.
When
Jesus was upon this earth, many of his followers saw him as a king who would
fight in the earthly realm to lead them to victory over their enemies (John
6:15). Jesus showed us that his kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).
Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). In the bible the
kingdom is variously referred to as the kingdom of God, of heaven or of the
Son.
What
is the kingdom? The kingdom of God is a kingdom we become a part of as we
accept Gods rule, reign and power in our lives. We must seek the kingdom with
all our hearts (Matt 6:33; 7:21), walk in obedience to him (Matt 7:21) and
receive in faith like a child (Mark 10:15).
To see and enter the kingdom we must be born again and our spirits made
new, by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6). We do this by repentance of
sin (Acts 3:19), asking for God’s forgiveness and by asking Jesus into our
lives to be Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10).
With
Christ and the kingdom inside us (Luke 17:21), God’s kingdom power is available
to us to change us and work in our lives (1 Cor 4:20; Matt 13:33). As kingdom
people, God reveals to us all that Christ has done and won for us (Mark 4:11); his
abundant life (John 10:10). Sound good to you? Well, I can assure you from
experience that nothing can compare to living in God’s kingdom.
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this to a friend. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.