A Plea To A Broken World

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and He has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us to a broken world on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”  2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NET

If these past couple of years have offered us anything it has been the gifted opportunities to “go forth to all nations” as Christ’s Ambassadors from within our own very own walls!

I was born in this country, but I am, first and foremost, a Jesus-follower. The name of Jesus Christ (which we carry as Christians) should determine who we are and how we live. When we identify with our nationality first, we may become consumed with things that distract us from our primary mission as followers of Jesus. 

As Christ followers, we’re not here to defend our personal freedoms; we’re here to help people find freedom in Christ.

All our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world make up the Church, HIS one nation under God. We, the people of God, are the Church, not the huge architectural or small historical buildings we gather in on Sundays, my friends, We’re just passing through this earth, so our citizenship to the nation we live in is only temporary. Our permanent citizenship is with Heaven.  His kingdom. 

And while our earthly citizenship may tell us we’re Canadian, American, Dutch, or Australian, our heavenly citizenship says something greater. We may be loyal to our country, and great things can come of that. But we worship a different King. A King whose name is higher than any other name.

As followers of Christ, we are not primarily citizens of any earthly nation, but of God’s Kingdom! So, our way of operating in the world should represent our true allegiance. We are called to look different from other people because we are Kingdom people. 

Realize that this calling to represent God’s Kingdom to the world is a high honor. Jesus picked each of us, as in intentionally nominated you, to be His ambassador. You’ve been hand-picked by the King to represent His Kingdom to all nations! 

Whoa! Amazing grace! Take this seriously, but also, don’t be worried. God has given us everything we need to do this well. He is with you and equips those He calls, and He has called us to be Kingdom people.

Already 2022 is off to a tumultuous start! What we see, the issues right in front of us, are typically what we are thinking about and considering most. Yet the things upon which we fixate—the real matters causing angst and discouragement in our souls—are only temporary. 

Spending time sitting with Jesus, reading the Bible, seeking wisdom from Holy Spirit teaches us that we must learn to detach our identity from the environment around us  and focus on becoming who God wants us to be.  

This is why we get to, by God’s grace, begin to develop eternal perspective not only in our own lives but over the lives of those around us! Those we like and know or those we encounter as God moves us  ….

For instance, through faith we believe that God is at work behind the scenes, in spite of how things appear. Through hope we resist discouragement and stand with persevering hearts. Through love our hearts are softened and we are transformed into His image.  

As believers, we can trust that even when we do not understand the future, or lack insight on what is going on in our lives now, God sits gloriously on the throne. He is in control. It is OK to feel the pressures life brings, and to not have answers. Even when it is hard for us to fathom what to do, God has the answers. From the smallest issue we may have, to the grand questions we have about Christ’s return, we must remind ourselves of Who is on the throne in heaven, and elevate Him to sit on the throne of our heart and mind. 

Set aside time this week to prayerfully read the book of Revelation. It offers perspective and an understanding of the throne of God, which is established forever. This is something we can reference throughout our life: God has been, is, and will be on the throne—no matter what. 

May God give give us the mercy and grace to live with an eternal perspective, living every day like truly wise people who see beyond what is in front of us.