2 Corinthians 5:14,19 (NIV) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
As believers, we are entrusted with the ministry and word of reconciliation. Therefore, one of the questions God will ask us at Christ’s judgment seat will be whether we have been faithful ambassadors.
You might ask what you can do for someone who already knows the gospel or grew up in a Christian family. We should intercede for them to overcome what is holding them back from walking with God. For example, the reason they have left the Christian faith could be that they are tired of religion, legalism, and tradition, or it could be condemnation. Sadly, the church can sometimes be harsh towards those who have drifted away from God. Therefore, we should not dislike, unfriend, or disassociate from them unless they would harm the church members.
Apart from praying for them, another way we could help them return to God is by living out our identity in Christ, which requires a clear revelation of the new creation realities of our new identity. If someone treats Christianity as a religion, they are trying to change themselves from the outside in, which is a heavy burden and very tiresome. They may be exhausted from being trapped on a religious performance treadmill where they never feel good enough for God. Therefore, we should live the Christian life from the inside out by embracing the new creation realities and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is liberating, easy, and light when we are yoked with God. We should continue to engage with them through non-religious activities and wait for them to be open to talking about God again, and we can pray with them when they are stressed.
Jesus’ last commandment before He ascended to heaven was for all of us to go into the world to preach the gospel and make disciples. Therefore, the opening Scripture reveals that the love of Christ compels us to go forth and take responsibility for the ministry of reconciliation by sharing the message of reconciliation with the lost. This is our life’s purpose and the purpose of the work God has given you. We need a paradigm shift and see that we are placed in a particular company or position for a specific purpose, which is to make a difference! This perspective gives meaning to our work, even though it might be challenging at times.
What condemns a sinner to eternal condemnation is not their sin but their refusal to accept Jesus Christ, and nobody can stand right before Him if He holds us accountable for our sins. Therefore, we need to tell unbelievers that God is full of grace and mercy. He knows we are sinners, and He has reconciled the world to Himself through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross while we were still sinners. Jesus Christ has revealed the grace of God through the gospel.
Sermon Series： We are an ambassador for Christ
上帝的恩典
哥林多后书5:14、19 原来基督的爱激励我们；因我们想，一人既替众人死，众人就都死了；这就是神在基督里，叫世人与自己和好，不将他们的过犯归到他们身上，并且将这和好的道理托付了我们。
做为信徒，我们被托付了和好的事工和话语，所以，将来在基督的审判台前，神会问我们的其中一个问题，就是我们是否做了忠心的使者。
你也许会问，对于那些已经知道福音，或者是在基督教家庭中长大的人，你能为他们做什么？ 我们应该为那个人代求，使他能摆脱阻碍他与神同行的一切。譬如，他们离开基督信仰的原因，可能是对宗教、律法主义和传统感到厌倦，也可能是因为谴责。难过的是，有时候，教会可能苛责那些远离神的人。所以，我们不应不喜欢、取消好友或与他们脱离关系，除非这些人会对教会成员造成伤害。
除了祷告之外，帮助他们回到神面前的另一种方法，是活出我们在基督里的身份，这需要我们对于自己那新造的事实具有清晰的启示。如果有人把基督教当作一种宗教，那么他们就在尝试从外到内的改变自己，这是一种沉重、折磨人的负担。他们在宗教表现跑步机上无休止地奔跑，精疲力尽，总觉得自己永远无法让神满意。所以我们应当拥抱新造之人的身份并藉着圣灵的赋能，从内到外活出基督徒的生命。当我们与神同负一轭时，这种生活是释放的、轻松的，轻省的。我们应继续以非宗教的活动与这些人保持联系，等待他们再次愿意坦诚的谈论神。当他们感到压力时，我们可以和他们一起祷告。
耶稣在升天之前给我们的最后一条命令，就是吩咐我们要往普天下去传福音，并使万民作门徒。因此，开篇的经文启示我们，基督的爱激励我们前行，并要担当和好的事工，与失丧的人分享和好的信息。这正是我们生命的目的所在，也是神所赐你之工作的标杆。我们需要转变思维模式，看见自己被安置在一个特定的公司或职位是为了一个特别的目的–就是带来改变！这种认知赋予我们的工作以意义，尽管有时这并不容易。
将罪人定罪到永远沉沦的，并不是他们所犯的罪！而是他们拒绝接受耶稣基督。如果祂要追究我们的罪责，无人能站立在祂面前。因此，我们需要告诉不信的人，上帝满有恩典和怜悯。祂知道我们是罪人，祂通过耶稣基督在十字架上的工作，在我们还是罪人的时候祂就与世人和好了。耶稣基督已经藉着福音揭示了上帝的恩典。
讲章系列：我们是基督的使者
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