Daily Devotional – Sunday, November 28, 2021
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:15-16 (NKJV)
An ambassador is an official who represents the interests of his or her country in a foreign land. Such a person promotes business, cultural, military and other concerns of the home nation. In addition, an envoy is the face of his or her government and people in the host country.
As Christ’s time on earth was coming to an end, it was important to appoint ambassadors. Unlike earthly regimes, the heavenly kingdom did not appoint one individual to represent it. Jesus, on behalf of heaven, made every believer an ambassador.
We get a glimpse of this in the prayer of Jesus recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of John.” I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15).
Going to heaven? You have to wait a little longer
Is there any Christian who does not want to go to heaven? I guess not. In His prayer, however, Jesus requests God to keep us on earth. He has an important task for us. Time will come to go home, but the task at hand must be completed first.
“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16). Christ’s ambassadors belong to the heavenly kingdom. We are here on a mission. Our thoughts, speech and conduct must be fundamentally different from those of other inhabitants of the earth.
For us to remain faithful to the kingdom that has appointed us as envoys, God has installed a programme in us. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). The word of God, cherished and practised, will differentiate us from the citizens of earth.
Persuading others to join the kingdom
Concerning the believers who gladly accept to represent Him and the ideals of the heavenly kingdom, Jesus observes, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18). Our work is to persuade others to become citizens of the kingdom of God.
Apostle Paul had this to say about this important appointment, “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.” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
How well are you performing your role as Christ’s ambassador? Is your life an accurate representation of the principles and ideals of God’s kingdom? What actions will you take today to ensure you persuade non-believers to be reconciled to God?
Lord Jesus, imbue me with Your love and character, that I may represent You perfectly in my society.
How else can we demonstrate that we are Christ’s ambassador’s on earth?
May God enable me become the Best Ambassador to Him🙏🙏
Amen, Chairman.