Ambassadors for Christ – Part 1 - Hear & See

Michael writes this week: The life of a Christian is filled with pitfalls and dangers in a world of darkness. To navigate the spiritual battlefield, we must keep our eyes, our hearts and our thoughts illuminated by the light of the Word of God.  In Matthew 24 Jesus spoke about the signs of His return.  He said it would be like “the days of Noah”. For over 100 years Noah warned the people of the impending flood, yet only eight people were saved in the Ark. God always warns his people about the coming judgment. In Mark 4:10-12, Jesus quoting from Isaiah said, "People will be ever hearing but never understanding; they will be ever seeing but never perceiving."  They may come to hear a great sermon. They hear, but do not practice God’s words. Hearing they do not hear, and seeing they do not see. Many will fall away through trial and tribulation, but he who calls upon the name of the Lord and endures to the end will be saved – Mark 13:13. 

Often we see only in retrospect God's hand of blessing, grace, and mercy.  Although spiritual hindsight is 20/20, we must also understand the extended view of the long and winding road of life that he has prepared for us. In Acts, Jesus said, you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you. In the Western world, if you can't see it in the physical realm, then it must not exist.  However, according to the Word, there is a spiritual reality behind the physical reality. Jesus had trained His disciples for over two and a half years. Their calling was to preach and teach the gospel of the resurrection unto salvation. Therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh but according to the spirit.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness from on high – Ephesians 6:12.  Second Timothy 2:26 says those of the world are held captive by the devil against their wills. It's easy to justify sin according to the flesh. However, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away and all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17.  In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, we have been committed the Word of reconciliation and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We have been called to reconcile God's people back to him. Now then, we are Ambassadors for Christ. Therefore we pray ye in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he who knew no sin became the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Why is Christianity growing around the world, but there is little to no growth in the church in the United States? God called His people to be “new creatures in Christ”, having torn down the veil to the Holy of Holies, so that His children could have direct access to the “living” God. He did not call us to build a building; rather He has made each of us a temple of the Holy Spirit, God’s dwelling place.  According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will  I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”


We'll pick up right here tomorrow, to conclude Michael's great message.
In Christ, Brian