Saturday, February 26, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Psalm 85, 87, 93
SCRIPTURE READING
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NIV); 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. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
An ambassador is a high-ranking official who, when visiting foreign countries, acts as a representative of his own country. His job is to stand for his country. Paul used this illustration to show us that we, too, are ambassadors; not to a country, but to our King, Jesus. Because we represent Him, we need to be on good terms with God! We need to be reconciled – returned to favour – with the Father! Jesus died to make this return possible, and because of it we are now called righteous. However, the battle over the sinful nature continues! Just because mankind’s eternal conflict with God has been resolved doesn’t mean that we can now do whatever we want and still be clean. But we DO have access to God’s grace and forgiveness when we confess our sins and ask for Him to cleanse us. This is such a gift, but we defile it when we blatantly choose sin over and over again. When you made Christ the Lord of your life, He set to work changing your desires so that you would yearn to be like Him. Still, the enemy is at work and the battle rages on within: flesh vs. Spirit. Jesus died that we can choose the Spirit and walk in righteousness. It takes a daily commitment to live wholeheartedly for the King, representing Him in all we do.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) In what areas do you feel you are an ineffective ambassador of your King? Why? In what areas do you feel you are an effective ambassador of your King?
2) Thank God for your strengths, and then ask Him how you can be an effective ambassador TODAY in those areas where you usually feel ineffective. How can you choose the Spirit over the flesh today?
3) Now ask God to show you areas where you need to be reconciled to Him. Where do you need to experience favour in your relationship? Confess any disobedience or sin on your part, and ask God to clear you of any guilt for things you have confessed. Ask God to show you His grace, mercy and forgiveness that is available to you through Christ Jesus.
