A Surprising List of Things We Should Represent
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Cor. 5:17-21
An Ambassador is to represent the one who sent him or her. It makes sense that an ambassador would know what the person who sent him/her thinks on subjects and what policies that person values. A good ambassador then, mirrors the person or country who sent them.
With that understood let's take a moment to discover if most people who claim to be Christ followers are good ambassadors of Jesus and heaven. Let's take a look at what were important to Jesus when he walked this earth and then you can decide if you area representing him well or if you need to make some adjustments. Ready?
Disclaimer: The following list is certainly not complete.
- Jesus struck up conversations with people who were really good at sinning in some foul ways like stealing money from people, adulterers, drunkards, swindlers all around not good folks Mark 2:15)
- Jesus surrounded himself with people from the lower level's of social and moral society (Matt. 4:19, Mark 2:14, )
- Jesus wasn't always happy with the religious types (Mark 3:5).
- When Jesus became popular, he often moved on to share the good news with others (Mark 1:35-39).
- Jesus went to places that were taboo to his peers (John 4).
- Jesus obeyed what he heard his Father tell him to do (John 4:34 & 12:49-50).
- At times Jesus allowed his life to be dictated by the needs of others (Luke 7:1-10 & Mark 5:1-20).
- Jesus was committed to spending time with his Father (Mark 1:35).
- Jesus enjoyed supplying the best drink at parties (John 2).
- Jesus told people the truth (Matt. 4:17).
So how are you at being an ambassador of Jesus and heaven on earth? I am sure hoping to adjust and improve!
Wow, who could measure up to this list and why is "Jesus obeyed what he heard his Father tell him to do and "Jesus was committed to spending time with his Father" so far down on the list? Are we breaking free from "the box" everyone tries to place Jesus and His followers in? Do we really know the person we represent or do we just think we know? All I know is I am trying to do what I hear God ask me to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie, thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! The list was not intended to be in any order of significance. I would say that my thoughts are an attempt to break free from 'the box' of thinking we have about Jesus. Too many think we should focus on staying clear or clean away from less than lovely people but Jesus pushed right into their lives - loved them, cared for them and called them to follow him. I KNOW you ARE doing a good job of hearing from God and following what he is saying to you. You are a very good example to follow! :-)
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ReplyDeleteI started reading through Matthew yesterday with the prayer, "Jesus, show me your love." If we're going to imitate Christ, we should know his kind of love. It's a bold mix of many types of love.
Hey B - I agree, we must imitate his "bold mix of many types of love." We have to get out of the 'box' mentality of keeping lists and fall in love with Him and let His love ooze from our pours. Doing comes out of being with Him. Thanks for stopping by and making a comment!
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