At one time, I was an enemy of God. My back was turned on him, and I was headed in a different direction. I wanted to be the one in charge of my life and refused to acknowledge God’s authority. I wasn’t an atheist. I believed that God existed, but he was distant, and I was content to keep it that way.
Then, one day, that changed. The God I kept at a distance came up close. He stood in front of me. He stood in my way. He introduced me to his Son, who he sent to die on the cross, paying the penalty for my sin. He made me a new creation. He transformed my life. He changed me from being an enemy to his friend. He removed my indifference and replaced it with intimacy. He gave my life meaning and significance. And it got even better.
God appointed me as an ambassador! He gave me the unbelievable opportunity and significant responsibility to speak on behalf of Jesus! God chose to forgive me when I was his enemy and appointed me as his representative. Now, God makes his appeal to others through me. My life has significance and meaning because of who I am in Christ.
Paul says it this way in a powerful passage found in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Father, thank you for the unbelievable opportunity of being your ambassador. Thank you for allowing me the significant responsibility to speak on your behalf. Thank you for changing me from being an enemy to your friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Only through grace and mercy we can be forgiven. By his love, Holy Spirit, and commission are we promoted to be ambassadors of the gospel. Only through Jesus we are forgiven and promoted. I’m in awe and full of gratitude daily!