Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Ambassadors of Reconciliation

Bible Reading:    Bible portion:  2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Key Verse Vs 20

Key Verse: V 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.
 
DEVOTION

What is an ambassador? An ambassador is one who is entrusted with a message from a king of government and is faithfully expected to convey the same message in the same tone to officials and nations. Paul reminds us that we are ambassadors of our King Jesus, who is entrusting us to convey this message of reconciliation to the world. Our lives, words, and actions are meant to echo God’s invitation: “Be reconciled to God.” This is not a message of condemnation but of restoration. Not a message of distance but of nearness. Not a message of earning but of receiving. 
The portion begins with the reminder that we no longer ought to look through human eyes. Reconciliation begins with God, not with us. Paul reminds us that everything changes once we see Christ rightly—not “according to the flesh,” but as the risen Lord who has made a new creation possible. In Him, the old has passed away. The new has come. The key to this is that Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. That truth shapes how we see ourselves and how we see others. We no longer view people through the lens of their failures, differences, or past. We see them as God sees them, as people Christ died for, people God longs to restore. 
The believers have been assigned to continue the work of reconciliation that Jesus carried out during His earthly ministry.  We share this message with those who feel called to receive it, trusting that they too will become faithful ambassadors who carry this same message forward with grace and purpose. Let us all remember St. Paul’s words, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” Let us all pray to remain faithful to the call of carrying out this ministry.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through Christ. Shape our hearts to reflect Your heart. Make us faithful ambassadors who carry Your message of peace, forgiveness, and restoration into every place You send us. Help us see others as You see them and to live as living invitations to Your grace. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We are therefore ambassadors of Christ  making God's appeals through us to the worlld

Vivin Varughese
The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island.
 

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