This reading is overflowing with verses that stand alone as memory verses. Paul was on a roll here with words of encouragement and direction for these new believers. Paul knew firsthand that being a disciple of Jesus was a fearful responsibility. It wasn’t easy to navigate life lived for Jesus because it was brand new thinking. For us, the concept is still revolutionary, yet refreshing.
Have you ever been intimidated to think of yourself as Christ’s ambassador? Paul gives us more insight into this. He put the idea out there in our last reading, but expounds on our responsibilities to help guide and inform us. It’s always helpful to know what our role is designed to be.
Paul also continues with the public service announcement about his devotion to his mission. What can you learn from these words from Paul? “We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.” If we could show up more like Paul in our dealings, this world would look a lot different. Imagine if everyone took this “fearful responsibility” seriously.
When we’re reminded of all that Paul went through to bring the gospel to the world for us, we marvel at what he endured with gratitude. Paul was quite a guy, but we’re special, too. We have access to the same Holy Spirit that gave Paul his tenacity and strength. Paul also believed this with his whole heart: “Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.”
Paul truly embodies what a “new creation in Christ” looks like. Don’t you love verse 17? This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Paul wasn’t always a fan of Jesus, but Jesus found him anyway. Our lives can turn around, too. Can you remember what you were like before you met Jesus? Now you’re different.
For those who are lost and don’t know Jesus, our hearts break. As ambassadors for Christ with such great responsibility, we need to tell the truth. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” The hard part has been done. Jesus paid the price for the sins of man. His offering made it possible to reconcile with God, our Maker and Father. It’s fearfully awesome to be used by God like this.
Paul pleaded with his audience not to simply receive this gift and then ignore it. How many of us have done the same thing? Sometimes we take God for granted. Other times we struggle under our own power until we remember God’s power is available instead.
Paul prepares us for the fact that we may not always be popular because of our allegiance to Jesus. Paul chose to make this declaration: “We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.” Are you ready to take on the fearful responsibility we’ve been given of following Jesus and helping others do the same?
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, you are the Lord of my life, and I give you honor and praise. I am overcome that you would trust me with such a fearful responsibility to spread your Word in this world. I want others to know you and seek you as I do. Help me deal with my own lack of confidence to be a good ambassador for you. Continue to reveal yourself to me with deeper understanding. Draw me closer to you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
