2 Corinthians 5

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”  He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (HCSB)

Have you ever needed to be in two places at once?  A few years ago, I had to fly out of the country to perform a concert.  At the same time, I was needed in town to sign some documents.  Both were important events, and my absence at either engagement would have cost me a lot of money.  

Here’s what I did.  I had my attorney draw up papers that gave him “power of attorney” on my behalf.  When I signed the “power of attorney” documents, in effect, he became my ambassador.  He went to the business meeting, and I flew to the concert.

In every legally binding way, my attorney’s decisions and negotiations became mine.  You really have to trust someone to give them the right to speak on your behalf!

The same is true with countries.  Heads of state cannot be everywhere.  When a foreign ambassador enters the room, it is as if that nation’s leader is there.  That’s why ambassadors should be chosen wisely.

Paul tells us that believers are called to be God’s ambassadors.  An ambassador is appointed to represent a nation in a specific country for specific periods, representing a specific leader in specific matters.  You never see the ambassador to China negotiating in Afghanistan.  You also don’t see the old president’s ambassadors negotiating on behalf of the new president unless they were reappointed.

In the same way, God calls us to specific people, places, and seasons.  By His wisdom and choice, our appointment is based on our character and obedience.  Our “disappointment” is based on our lack thereof.  Our message may be wrapped in various levels of diplomacy, but it is uniformly the same:  be reconciled to God through a personal relationship with Messiah Jesus!

In our generation full of great spiritual battles, God has sent us to deliver His message of hope.  All humanity has committed great offense towards Him, but Messiah has become our sin offering.  This is so that, through Jesus, believers might become the righteousness of God.