20 So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.
Reflection
One charge that some people level at Christians is that by speaking of our salvation, we sometimes criticize others in the process. However, it is because we are reconciled to God that we never need to speak of our own righteousness. Instead, we can just leave the judgements to God!
The word “ambassador” comes from a Latin rooted word that means servant. As servants to Christ, it is not up to us to judge but to just be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. Therefore, because we are “reconciled to God,” we simply go on serving Christ by loving and helping others as best we can.
Most importantly, because we are reconciled, we look first at ourselves as we remain honest about our own shortcomings. Because we are reconciled, we remain humbled through the scriptures and prayer. We remain keen to listen to God’s call on our lives. Being reconciled means that we remain watchful for the ways that sin can trip us up, while still hopeful about how our faith can help us to grow and change. Because we are reconciled, we quietly serve one another by humbly following in Christ’s footsteps. Lastly, because we are reconciled, we remain hopeful even in our most difficult days.
By Barbara Carlson
For Pondering & Prayer
As we remain Christ’s servants, we humbly seek to serve the world in his name. In what ways have scripture and life’s lessons kept you grounded? How do you remain a humble servant? How does your faith keep you hopeful in difficult times? Pause and give thanks for the internal strength that hope provides.
Prayer: Gracious God, we pause to acknowledge the internal strength that your love provides. We remain grateful for the scriptures and the life lessons that keep us grounded in Jesus’ name. Because we are reconciled, help us to continue to love and support others as you have called us to do. Help us to go on in faith, hope and love. Amen.
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