Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

JULY 2
WEDNESDAY


BEING AN
AMBASSADOR

READ:
2 Cor. 5:14-21
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[God] has committed
to us the word of
reconciliation.
Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ.
__2 Corinthians 5:19-20
__________________________________

After visiting a homeless shelter, a group of teenagers couldn't wait to express what they had experienced. Excitedly, they wrote about their visits with men and women of all ages who were poor and destitute.

One teen wrote: "I talked with a Vietnam vet and told him that in heaven he would have a new body. I was able to reassure him in his faith."

Another said, "A guy named Michael showed me that even though he was living in a homeless shelter, having faith made all the difference."

Still another wrote: "I talked with a man who had almost stopped believeing in God. I tried to [encourage him in his faith]."

While desiring to share God's message of reconciliation, these teens were surprised to find that some of the people already knew God. By cutting through the discomfort of their differences, the kids discovered people who needed the reassurance that God still cared for them. The teens' roles changed from sharing the good news to guiding their new friends toward a deeper faith.

Being "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20) opens doors of opportunity both to share the gospel and to strengthen the struggling. Seek out someone today who needs encouragement or "the word of reconciliation" (v.19). __Dave Branon
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``````````````````Lord use us Your instruments```````````````````
```````````````````Of truth and love and care,```````````````````
````````````````And may we bring encouragement````````````````
```````````````As Your good news we share. __Sper``````````````
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A word of encouragement can make the difference
between giving up and going on.

************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Corinthians 5:14-21**********

14 For the love of Christ
compels us, because we
judge thus: that if One died
for all, then all died; 15 and
He died for all, that those
who live should live no
longer for themselves, but
for Him who died for them
and rose again.

16 Therrefore, from now on,
we regard no one according
to the flesh. Even though
we have known Christ
according to the flesh, yet
now we know Him thus no
longer. 17 Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things
have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.

18 Now all things are of
God, who has reconciled us
to Himself through Jesus
Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation,

19 that is, that God was in
Christ reconciling the world
to Himself, not imputing
their trespasses to them, and
has committed to us the
word of reconciliation.

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.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In today's Bible reading, the apostle paul discusses the privilege of
being God's ambassador. His starting point, however, goes to the heart of motive, as he reminds us of the "why" behind our spiritual
service. In verse 14 he says, "For the love of Christ compels us."
Christ's love is what drives us to serve Him and to tell others.
__Bill Crowder