Daily Devotion (October 16, 2024)
2 Corinthians 5:20–21
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.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Having accepted Christ as your Savior and LORD you are now an Ambassador for Christ. You are a representative of Christ to the world. The “you” becomes “we” in Paul’s writing. It is not just about us as followers of Christ. We join together in fellowship with each other.
As ambassadors for Christ, we represent Him to the world. We have been called out by Him and possess all the authority and power of Christ. We have a message. God, having chosen you has also empowered you to share His Word to the world. Remember, having accepted Christ you are to be faithful to Him, not faithful to the world. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:9-11 that God has saved us and called us with a holy calling. God has empowered each follower of Christ to carry out His purpose in our lives.
Followers of Christ are to be reconciled to God. We are followers of Christ. If we are not reconciled to God, then we will never be reconciled to one another. The fellowship of God is not to be divided. It is to be united in Christ. We are to follow the example of Christ not people.
Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice. He went to the cross. He died for us. Jesus was perfect. He never sinned (NEVER SINNED!!) But He went to the cross and died for our sin. (He who knew no sin was made sin for us.) Jesus took our place on the cross. His relationship with the father was broken. There was that moment in eternity where Jesus, the Son felt forsaken by God the Father. He cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). God cannot look upon sin. It is written in Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
There are many who sit in a “Worship Service”, and they never hear God speak. We have become too complacent in our relationship with God to hear His voice. We focus on God meeting our wants and desires and forget we are ambassadors of Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. He also writes in Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” As a Christian, follower of Christ, be that example to the world.