Friday Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5
Ambassadors of Christ
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If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ’s behalf:
Be reconciled to God.
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Ambassadors have a unique place in this world.
They live in a nation, but they are not part of it.
They belong to their own land, no matter where they go.
And they take that land with them.
When a US ambassador walks through Paris, France, every step she takes is still on US soil.
Paul says you are like that.
You are no longer a citizen of this world.
You are in the US, but you are part of Heaven now.
You are God's representative, with every step you take.
But ambassadors are not there just to take up space.
They are there to communicate.
And true communication does not begin or end with talking.
True communication requires listening.
So listen to the citizens of this world.
Listen to the politicians and the news outlets.
Listen to the protesters and the counter protesters.
But don't forget:
You may live here for now, but you represent another place.
You carry a little bit of Heaven wherever you go.
After you listen, tell them what you represent.
Tell them what it's like to walk on Heaven's soil.
If necessary, use words.
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There's a land that is fairer than day,
and by faith we can see it afar;
for the Father waits over the way
to prepare us a dwelling place there.