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As Christ Representatives: What Message Are We Sending?
As children of God, we are called to be his representatives, and to show forth his goodness and mercy. Just as Christ revealed to us the true nature of his Father, we are to reveal Christ to a world that does not know him. In the book of St. John chapter 17, verses 18, 23, the writer declares, "As Thou (God) hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." "I in them, and Thou in Me; that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me." People, the only Jesus the world will ever see must be displayed in us. We are a light to a dark world that’s in grave need of sight. They need to see (1) we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, (2) Jesus gave himself as a ransom for our sins, and through Him, we can all be free. The apostle Paul said it best in the book of II Corinthians 3:3 "Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ." "known and read by all men." Known and read: In us, Christ sends a letter to a family, a village, a nation, a world. In Us, He longs to speak to a world unacquainted with Him. There are many people whose feet will never touch the steps of a church and whose hands will never pick up a Bible. So, if they never pick up or read the Bible, they simply cannot hear the Voice that speaks to them through its pages. They will also be unaware of God’s Love expressed on its pages. If you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you, the world will be led to understand something of the goodness of God and be won over to love and serve Him. As believers, we are called to represent Christ. This means that we are to reflect His life and character. It bothers me when I see those who confess to be believers, always murmuring and complaining. This false representation has caused many to leave the fold. Satan exalts to see us down and despondent. He delights in seeing us doubting and mistrusting God. It is the work of Satan to represent God as lacking in pity and compassion. When we are sad and complain, we misrepresent God and send the wrong message to the world. Satan desires to make our Christian walk one of gloom and doom, and each time we mistrust God and murmur, we are seconding the falsehood of Satan and misrepresenting the Lord of all the world. There is not a one of us who has not endured some type of temptation, but Christ has been tempted like we, but without sinning. He understands our needs and invites us to his throne. It is there (at the throne) where we will obtain mercy and grace to help us in a time when we sorely need it. We must remember the words spoken to the Roman church by Paul, the apostle, "None of us liveth to himself." Romans 14:7. Whatever we do, whether conscious or subconsciously, we influence others. As believers, this influence should be of a positive nature. We are to encourage and strengthen others in this walk. We cannot misrepresent Jesus as one void of love, for in doing so, we repel souls from Christ and the only hope they have. Consider this saying, "The religion of Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face". Our Savior (Jesus) was deeply serious and dealt solely in honesty, but his message was never gloomy or remorseful. As imitators of Christ, our lives must be filled with earnest and sincere purpose. We have a deep sense of personal responsibility. We are ministering spirits. Our job is one of servitude. After all, Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. We must keep the love of God in our hearts and follow his example. When we are perplexed with the cares of the world, we are turn our hearts to God and cast our cares upon Him. It is not God’s will for his people to be weighed down with care. While God longs to love and care for us, he is no deceiver. Not once does he tell us that there are not dangers in our path. He knows fully that we will endure trials and temptations, but He deals with us truthfully and distinctly. He does not take us around the danger, but he points us to a never-ending refuge. His prayer was " that we should not be taken out of the world, but that we should be kept from evil." He understands that in this world we will have trouble, but he didn’t leave us hanging. He encourages us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world John 17:15; 16:33. In the messages Jesus taught His disciples, He emphasized the necessity of trusting in God. Those messages were not only designed for the twelve, but they were designed to encourage the children of God through all the ages. When we are tempted to complain, he instructs us to consider the lilies of the field, they do toil or spin; plainly stated, they don’t have a job, but I clothe them. Are you not much better that they? Matthew 6:26. We have no need to worry because "the great Provider for man and beast opens His hand and supplies all His creatures." Just as Christ commissioned the twelve concerning their duties as followers, we are to take the light to those in darkness. We teach, not by words, but by deeds. The only example we have is our lives and our service to God as displayed by what we do for our fellow man. Our message should be one of hope and peace. The Lord would have all His children happy, obedient, and most of all peaceful. He says, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid". Through these words he declares, "our joy would be complete (full)." John 14:27, 15:11. This article is an appeal to God’s people to shew forth the praises of him that brought us out of darkness into the marvelous light. The term "shew" carries with it a degree of effort. For as the word declare, we are to "push forth" the praises: it won’t always be easy, but in the midst of opposition, we are to praise and worship God. The world must see in us, a loving and caring Father. Are we up for the challenge? If we are a true representative, we definitely ARE! My prayer is that the Lord will send forth laborers into this great harvest. |