TSP DAILY DEVOTIONAL
HIS AMBASSADORS
20th May 2020
Dr. Phil Ransom-Bello
KEY SCRIPTURE/MEMORY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:20(NKJV)
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.
One powerful statement that continues to resound from our conversation yesterday, is the fact that our forgiveness has already been given. Our forgiveness wasn’t initiated by us. No, it came when Jesus died, by His sacrifice.
And just to show that forgiveness has always been about sacrifice not confession(Hebrews 9:22), even in the old testament, the people would bring their sacrifice and they would be forgiven for one year. Then after one year is over, they had to renew the forgiveness by bringing another sacrifice(Hebrews 10:1-3)
The priest will symbolically lay his hands on a man and pass on his offense or sin to the animal that was brought for sacrifice and then the “righteousness” of the spotless lamb is transferred to the man. So there was a transfer.
And this was the old testament which was powerless at delivering man from sin completely.
But guess what? By the cross of Jesus, we’ve been reconciled.
To be reconciled means we have been forgiven and brought into favour and harmony with God eternally(2 Corinthians 5:18).
What this means is that we do not tell people that they receive reconciliation because they asked or stood in front of the pastor but they receive reconciliation because God was in Jesus reconciling the world to Himself(Verse 19).
People must know that when you received the forgiveness was not when it was given. It had been offered to the world already.
Listen friends, you are Christ ambassadors. His very own representatives and representatives don’t go about peddling a message that is contrary to that of the person they are representing.
So the question is- what do you represent? If you are an ambassador of Christ, then your message to the sinner must be that God is no longer angry with them and they only need to receive the forgiveness that’s already been given.
Our approach must be right. We must represent the right manifesto of the gospel.
Every other religion requires you to purify yourself before you can worship but in Christ Jesus, you come as you are.
Think about it. You were not even born or there when God was in Christ reconciling the world and even those who were there, it had nothing to do with them. So why do you think anyone can be purified or qualified on their own to gain favour or harmony with God?
Look, let us stay with the goodness of the gospel.
Hear me dear believer, you have been approved as an ambassador.
Do your job as you ought.
REFLECTION
Have I been a faithful representative of the message of reconciliation?
DECLARATION
-I am a faithful ambassador of Christ. I am diligent to declare the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation God has given us in Christ.
-My position on the gospel is entirely the same as God’s. No additions. No subtractions.
-Because of Jesus, I have come into favour and harmony with God.
-God is no longer angry with me. My sins are forgiven.
-I have been given the nature of righteousness so I live righteously.
-Daily, I am faithful in the business of soul-winning and I make profit of souls in millions for the Kingdom.
-I enjoy the advantage and dividends of the gospel.
Hallelujah!
HEARING BY THE WORD
(Recommended Listening)
Listen to What Do I Preach?>> Dr. Phil by The StandPoint Church on #SoundCloud
