Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.
We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God’s kindness to you. In the Scriptures God says,
“When the time came, I listened to you,
and when you needed help, I came to save you.â€
That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved. Â Â 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2 (CEV)
Procrastination. I regret the day that I learned what that word meant. Suddenly I had a nice big word for “putting off stuff†that I either just didn’t want to do at all or that would involve some serious un-fun work on my part.
Most of us do not realize or understand the importance of our spiritual life. We work and plan for our life here on earth including investing in 401k’s and faithfully keep up with the news, wanting to know what is happening from politics to the weather. We keep up with the newest information on exercise and diet, paying $3/lb for organic tomatoes (because I surely do not want to eat the inorganic ones!) and $100/month for a gym membership. But when will I invest in my spiritual health?
Paul tells me in this passage that God made a way for me to be reconciled to Him. It only took me 40+ years to take that critical step and accept my need for a Savior. But while my eternal life was sealed at that moment, the reconciliation is not a selfish act. In that extraordinary moment of unspeakable joy, I was charged as Jesus’ disciple to speak and share the reconciliation with others. Today is the day. No more putting it off.
Does that mean that God wants me to grabbed every person I meet, body-slam them to the floor and shout, “DO YOU KNOW JESUS?!!†No. But my life, often without any words spoken, should reflect the Good News of Jesus Christ just as clearly as if I had shouted it. My life should be a branch that is heavy with the fruit of His Spirit in my life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). His love and comfort should pour through me unhindered. And my mind should be focused on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable; things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).
This way of life, a life as an ambassador of reconciliation to God, does not come any easier than a life of physical health. It requires daily diligence and no procrastination! Every day I “bump†into people who are in need. God has an answer to their need. My life can be a light that points them in the best direction. But I have to be willing to throw off all that tangles me up and slows me down and pay attention to my own spiritual health so I am prepared to be a clear ambassador of Christ. This devotion has been a good “warm-up.†Now it’s time to dig in deeper and git ‘er done!
Make Me A Servant from Kids’ Praise #4 with Psalty
