Ambassador Of Christ

Paul pleads with us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 to be ambassadors for Christ.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

We are representatives of Christ. When people look at us and see how we behave, talk, and act we are proclaiming Christ through our actions. People may never go to a church service or crack open a bible and the only way they will ever know or see Jesus is through our actions and witness.

Greg Koukl has a great study on being a better ambassador for Christ. I have gone through these lessons many times and it definitely changed my outlook on what it means to be a representative of Jesus. He goes through and explains how we can approach the world in a loving and respectful way.

Here is his Ambassador’s Creed:

An ambassador is…

I can’t recommend his Ambassador’s ABC study course more. Here is a link to purchase them. There are a total of 3 courses.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Scoffer and Mockers

In todays daily reading I came across Proverbs 14:6 and 9. In these two verses Solomon addresses the scoffers and mockers who think Christianity is for fools. My heart goes out to those who call us silly or fools. They have no idea how sin has blinded them to the truth of Jesus.

Proverb 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it. But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

A scoffer will seek wisdom in everything but Jesus. It then goes on to say in the first part of verse 9 in Proverbs 14, Fools mock at sin.

Scoffer’s today seek wisdom in so many things that they believe are going to make them happy and fulfilled. The list of things go from, money, sex, themselves, psychics, spiritualism, scientology, etc... None of these satisfies the scoffer.

The irony is the knowledge to him who understands is right in front of us all. Its the saving grace and mercy of Christ. In one sense it is so simple to believe and put your faith into Jesus. There is no work or rituals I have to accomplish to spend an eternity with Jesus. He gives us a free gift Ephesians 2:8-9. However, why are there so few who choose to do so? It’s because they mock at sin. They have no desire to change their ways from a path of darkness to a path of light in Christ. We are forced to go back to look at John 3:19 for the reason why. It’s not that Christ has not given anyone enough light to see the truth it is due to the fact that man loves wickedness more that the light.

I pray that if you do not have a relationship with Christ that you turn from your ways of worldly wisdom and turn to the saving grace of Christ who gives true wisdom and knowledge. You can search this world for wisdom but till you turn that search to Christ you will never know the truth.

Click here to find out how to have a relationship with Christ.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Cure To The Disease

Today in church we covered the start of Paul’s ministry in Acts 13. Paul teaches the complete gospel message in chapter 13 and towards the end of the chapter in verse 45 we get the reaction of the religious leaders of the day.
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

How many of us hear that same reaction from the world today? It saddens me to know that people have a serious disease 1 million times worse than cancer and that is sin.

What I find even more disturbing is how they view the cure. People ask me all the time why are you so “Religious” or why do you share Jesus so much? I usually simply state the following. If I found out you had cancer and I had the cure how sick would it be if I didn’t give you the cure?

What is the true cure to our disease. Jesus Christ, the sacrifice He made on the cross and more importantly His resurrection. The bible clearly states we are going to be held accountable for our actions. We all have sinned against God and will be judged according to our actions. However, if we put our complete trust in Christ He has paid our debt and we are free. I know its a mind blowing concept and that no other religion gives free grace but you must work for your salvation. Christianity is all about the grace and mercy of Christ. But you must put your faith into Him completely.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Job Did Not Sin With His Lips

In my daily reading I have started in the book of Job. In the first chapter Job’s characteristics are exemplified in many ways. Job 1:1 starts off with; ...Job was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. He is then described by God exactly the same way in Job 1:8 and further states there is none like him on the earth.

How many of us are described by God in that fashion today? I know that I have not been blameless and upright and shunned evil all my days. But we should be striving for that kind of lifestyle which is pleasing to the Lord. Job is able to persevere in his HUGE trials and tribulations because he realizes God is in complete control. Something for us to remember.

How about this quote from him after everything has been taken away, all his wealth, his children, his assets, he has nothing left: Job 1:21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

He is giving thanks to the Lord. In my pathetic little problems I have, do I thank the Lord for my trials and tribulations? I have to imagine James had Job in mind when he said in James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing

In chapter 2 it gets worse. God allows Job to be afflicted with a nasty disease that causes boils and who knows what else. Then his wife tells him to curse God and die. How does Job respond? In the end of Job 2:10 it says in all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Man I have a long way to go. Thank you Jesus for Your word which provides Your will for our lives. I am not worthy. Give us wisdom on how to rely completely in You.

Wes
Galatians 2:20