Ambassadors

 

Ambassadors

“Therefore, 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. Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things [are] of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 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. 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. For He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2Co 5:16-21 NKJV)

An ambassador is to represent the views and feelings of his countrymen or sovereign. To do so well, he must conduct himself largely in the fashion of the one he represents. Therefore, Paul makes a point that he no longer regards men according to the flesh, likely indicating that neither one’s position, race, or bad decorum would influence his willingness to minister to that person. Like Christ, he was blind to those things that sometimes revolt men, looking past the sin, Christ offered life to those willing to repent of sin. In other words, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven except blaspheme of the Holy Spirit, which likely means rejecting God Himself.

One’s history is put aside, other than natural consequences caused by past actions, because those who are in Christ are new creations. God changes a person from the inside. He regenerates them and they are reborn to new life. This is not refining like one purifies a precious metal, but more like fusion where something entirely new is created. No wonder Paul no longer regarded anyone according to the flesh, what was reborn was entirely new in Christ. The former had no bearing on the value of the new creature.

Therefore, Paul was excited to be given the ministry of reconciliation. He had been reconciled to God by the imputation of Christ righteousness, and now he was to be Christ ambassador. Not only has Paul been blessed with this ministry, but you too are an ambassador if you are in Christ. You too have been given the word of reconciliation.

What is that word? He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

All of God’s children have been given this ministry. Represent Him well; tell someone how Christ paid the sin debt for all who will humble themselves, repent of sin, and confess the Lord Jesus Christ.