Recognise Who You Are
Introduction
The ambassadors I have met have always impressed me enormously. They have clearly been chosen very carefully. They have all been trained in the art of diplomacy. They are skilled at representing their country by both how they act and what they say.
To be an ambassador is an immense privilege. An ambassador is ‘a minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent the… sovereign or country’. A British Ambassador is a minister who represents King and country wherever they are sent.
Paul writes that we are ‘Christ’s ambassadors’ (2 Corinthians 5:20). The Greek word translated as ‘ambassador’ shares the same root as ‘presbyter’, which is one of the words used to describe church leaders. Whether you are in a recognised leadership role in the church or not, you are an ambassador of Christ, with the extraordinary privilege and responsibility of representing Jesus in this world. You are God’s representative on earth.
Through you, God makes his appeal for others to be reconciled to God; to receive his forgiveness, love and grace. Appeal to them to become friends of God and ambassadors themselves. As royal ambassadors, act with diplomacy and skill because you are representing Christ on earth.
Psalm 105:1–11
Psalm 105
1 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
6 you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
7 He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
11 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion you will inherit.”
Commentary
Ambassadors to the whole world
We are called as ambassadors to be a blessing to all nations. Jesus called us to go out to all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). The people of God are blessed in order to be a blessing to the whole world.
‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done’ (Psalm 105:1). Today, some of us do not even need to travel to be in contact with many nations. In London, where I live, practically every nation in the world is represented.
The psalmist writes, ‘Remember the wonders he has done’ (v.5a), and then he goes on to do exactly that. He goes back through all the things God has done for them.
What are some of your favourite memories? Take time to remember God’s blessing and to thank him. Find a diplomatic way, as an ambassador for Christ, to ‘tell everyone you meet what he has done!’ (v.1, MSG).
As an ambassador for Jesus, stay close to him. ‘Look to the LORD and his strength, seek his face always’ (v.4).
Prayer
2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2
The Ministry of Reconciliation
5
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 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. 20 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. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.
Commentary
Ambassadors with an urgent message
We are all ‘Christ’s ambassadors’ (5:20). Paul, as an ambassador of Christ, seeks to ‘persuade people’ (v.11) about the truth of the gospel.
This is a big responsibility. It is urgent. Take it seriously: ‘It’s no light thing to know that we will all one day stand in that place of judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God’ (v.11, MSG).
God makes his appeal through you. God could have made his appeal direct or through angels. Instead, he has chosen to do it through you and me. ‘God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing’ (v.19b, MSG). Paul writes, ‘We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God’ (v.20). ‘Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you’ (v.20, MSG).
Love is… the motive
‘For Christ’s love compels us’ (v.14). ‘His love has the first and last word in everything we do’ (v.14a, MSG). You are called to live a life of love. First, love for Jesus, who died for us so that we should no longer live for ourselves but for him (v.15). Second, love for others, because we are convinced that Jesus died for them: ‘One man died for everyone’ (v.14b, MSG).Love is… the message
The message is: ‘God loves you.’ He welcomes you with open arms. Because Jesus died for you, you can be a friend of God. You can approach him boldly and confidently as often as you choose.The message is all about reconciliation (vv.18–19). Reconciliation is about restored friendship in a relationship of love – with God and with one another. It’s a huge privilege and joy to see people reconciled to God and to one another – especially in marriages, families and other broken relationships.
It is made possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection: ‘God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God’ (v.21, MSG).
Paul writes that ‘God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ’ (v.19). Some people caricature the New Testament teaching and suggest that God is barbaric and unjust because he punished Jesus, an innocent party, instead of us. This is not what the New Testament says. Rather, Paul writes, ‘God was… in Christ.’ He was himself the substitute in the person of his Son to make it possible for us to be restored in a relationship with him.
As a result, ‘If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!’ (v.17). As the New Living Translation puts it, ‘Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!’ (v.17).
Love is… the means
Never pressurise people. Rather, try to persuade them (v.11) because you love them. Implore them on Christ’s behalf (v.20). You are Christ’s representative. Jesus always acted in love and as his ambassadors you represent this love.Paul writes, ‘I hope you realise how much and deeply we care’ (v.11, MSG). As is often said, ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’
Prayer
Isaiah 1:1–2:22
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
A Rebellious Nation
2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the LORD has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand. ”
4 Woe to the sinful nation,
a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the LORD;
they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
5 Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head
there is no soundness —
only wounds and bruises
and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged
or soothed with oil.
7 Your country is desolate,
your cities burned with fire;
your fields are being stripped by foreigners
right before you,
laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.
8 Daughter Zion is left
like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut in a cucumber field,
like a city under siege.
9 Unless the LORD Almighty
had left us some survivors,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the LORD,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the LORD.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations —
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
21 See how the faithful city
has become a prostitute!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her—
but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross,
your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels,
partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.
24 Therefore the LORD, the Lord Almighty,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
and avenge myself on my enemies.
25 I will turn my hand against you;
I will thoroughly purge away your dross
and remove all your impurities.
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,
your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called
the City of Righteousness,
the Faithful City. ”
27 Zion will be delivered with justice,
her penitent ones with righteousness.
28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken,
and those who forsake the Lord will perish.
29 “You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks
in which you have delighted;
you will be disgraced because of the gardens
that you have chosen.
30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves,
like a garden without water.
31 The mighty man will become tinder
and his work a spark;
both will burn together,
with no one to quench the fire. ”
The Mountain of the LORD
2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.
The Day of the LORD
6 You, LORD, have abandoned your people,
the descendants of Jacob.
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination like the Philistines
and embrace pagan customs.
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;
there is no end to their treasures.
Their land is full of horses;
there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
9 So people will be brought low
and everyone humbled —
do not forgive them.
10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendour of his majesty!
11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled
and human pride brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store
for all the proud and lofty,
for all that is exalted
(and they will be humbled),
13 for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty,
and all the oaks of Bashan,
14 for all the towering mountains
and all the high hills,
15 for every lofty tower
and every fortified wall,
16 for every trading ship
and every stately vessel.
17 The arrogance of man will be brought low
and human pride humbled;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
18 and the idols will totally disappear.
19 People will flee to caves in the rocks
and to holes in the ground
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendour of his majesty,
when he rises to shake the earth.
20 In that day people will throw away
to the moles and bats
their idols of silver and idols of gold,
which they made to worship.
21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks
and to the overhanging crags
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendour of his majesty,
when he rises to shake the earth.
22 Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?
Commentary
Ambassadors of holy love
‘The characteristic name for God in Isaiah is “The Holy”,’ writes Eugene Peterson. ‘Holiness is the most attractive quality, the most intensive experience we ever get of sheer life – authentic, firsthand living, not life looked at and enjoyed from a distance… Holiness is a furnace that transforms the men and women who enter it.’
Isaiah’s message is about God’s holy love for his people. God loves his people more than any parent loves a child.
Yet Isaiah says, ‘For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me”’ (1:2). He goes on to speak of all the ways in which his children have rebelled – their unfaithfulness, the injustice they allow, and their failure to look after the widows and orphans (vv.21–23).
God’s desire is for holiness:
‘Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless’ (vv.16–17, MSG).
But they have failed and rebelled. Further, they are full of superstitions, they practise divination, and their land is full of materialism and idols (2:6–8).
Their religiosity is not working. The Lord says, ‘I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats’ (1:11c). ‘I can’t stand your trivial religious games… I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning’ (vv.13–14, MSG).
Yet, God does not abandon them. He says, ‘Come now, let us reason together’ (v.18). ‘If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white. If they’re red like crimson, they’ll be like wool’ (v.18, MSG).
He promises, ‘Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City. Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness’ (vv.26b–27a). Like Micah, he promises justice and peace will come (2:2–4).
But how? How can we who are sinful and rebellious be made righteous? How can we, whose ‘sins are like scarlet’, be made ‘white as snow’ (1:18)? How will these remarkable promises of the Old Testament be fulfilled?
Only in Jesus do we find the solution. The Old Testament prophets foreshadow what was to come. The New Testament tells us how: in today’s New Testament passage we read how ‘God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus, who ‘had no sin’, was made sin for us on the cross so that in him, though our sins are like scarlet, we could be made white as snow and become the righteousness of God. You become friends with God and an ambassador for Christ.
Prayer
Pippa adds
In Isaiah 2:3 it says:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’
As September begins again, life gets really busy and I’m aware that there is so much going on and so many plans to make. I want to walk in God’s paths this September. I want to hear his voice and bring myself again to God to say, ‘Teach me your ways Lord.’ And, ‘What exciting paths have you in store for me this September?’
Verse of the Day
2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT
‘Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!’
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References
Eugene Peterson, The Message, 'Introduction to Isaiah', (NavPress, 1993).
Webster English Dictionary.
The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (commentary formerly known as Bible in One Year) ©Alpha International 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Compilation of daily Bible readings © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 1988. Published by Hodder & Stoughton Limited as the Bible in One Year.
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.
Scripture quotations marked (AMP) taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.