If we are Christians and belong to the Kingdom of God, then this world is not our own. We have a new home, as adopted sons and daughters of God, in Heaven. Therefore we are all aliens in a foreign country. While ambassador is described as the highest diplomatic agent from one country, envoy is defined as a messenger or diplomatic agent just below an ambassador by Webster’s New World dictionary. I believe the Holy Spirit is God’s ambassador to the world while Christians are envoys to the world. Have you ever thought yourself as an envoy? An envoy’s job is to further the goals of the country you are representing through diplomatic ties. Christians further the Kingdom of God through its diplomatic ties to the world. Christians must put the goals of the Kingdom of God ahead of the goals of the World.
As envoys that have spent all of our life in this foreign world, it is easy to identify with the world instead of with our home country. This is also dangerous however. If we start to take on the traits of this world, it will pull us apart from God because the teaching and practices of the world are in constant battle with the teachings of God’s Kingdom. This is why we must keep strong in our commitment and identification in Christ. If we do not then we might start to assimilate into this world again. It says in Ephesians 2:1-4 that we were dead in our transgressions. We were slaves to our desires and could not fulfill our purposes in Life which is serving God. When Christ came he gave us new life in him. We now belong to the Kingdom of God which represents life itself, found in Christ Jesus. We are here in this dead world to show its people the path to life, not to fall back into the path of death.
Diplomats must remember to respect the ways of the country that he/she is working in. In the same way we must remember to respect others while we work for the Kingdom of God. Not only respect them but we must love them. In all things in our Christian lives, love is the most important. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-40 that loving God with all we have is the greatest commandment and loving your neighbor is next in line. Even if our neighbor be of the world, we are commanded to love them. We will not always be treated well and respectfully however. As we work the work of our Kingdom, the people here try to work theirs and they are in constant conflict. Even when faced with this, we must remain strong to our goals, no losing focus, but remembering that this will bring us much more in the Kingdom of God for we are furthering his goals during persecution.
The conflict we face here in our lives will be difficult but it is also a gift. I believe conflict is a way for God to show his power. In our everyday lives it is difficult to rely on God because we have it all in hand but during conflict we rely of him because we realize our need for him. Then we grow closer in our relationship with him. The more we rely on him, the more he shows himself to us, and therefore we grow closer to him. As we learn more about our King, we learn more about what to do on this world. The most important thing to remember in conflict is to rely on the Lord and remember what he has told you. Conflict can also shatter you as well so it is wise not to search for conflict. Conflict can be too much for you to handle but remember that whether or not you feel God is working or not in this conflict, he is always there with you. He may not do what we want but he sees the big picture. He may be working for a greater purpose altogether in the conflict you are in.
Whether we are in conflict or not, God always has a purpose for you who are his envoy in this broken world. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11 “In him (Jesus) we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” What an amazing statement! God works out everything in accordance to his will so whether or not you choose this or that, God knows what you will choose and will use it according to his will. He has purpose for everything done under the sun. Let us remember this as we try to further the will of God. You are not here just to breathe air, but you are here because God has a purpose for you: To love and serve him in everything you do while loving others and God especially.
In everything that we do, let it be for the Kingdom of God and not for our own selfish desires which is what the world does, for that is what the world does, and we are not of this world but part of the Kingdom of God because we have been named by God his children. We may be on this dead world, but we have been brought into life with Christ and let it be evident in us as we continue to represent the Kingdom of God but let us remember to do this with love and respect for all here whether kin, friend, or stranger. Lastly, remember that God loves us no matter how much we mess up because his great love does not depend upon our actions. He loves us and there is nothing we can do about that. Let us not shrink up on our responsibilities as Christians but don’t let it overwhelm you either because God is with you. Let him take care of the impossible, all he asks you to do is what falls before you.
As envoys that have spent all of our life in this foreign world, it is easy to identify with the world instead of with our home country. This is also dangerous however. If we start to take on the traits of this world, it will pull us apart from God because the teaching and practices of the world are in constant battle with the teachings of God’s Kingdom. This is why we must keep strong in our commitment and identification in Christ. If we do not then we might start to assimilate into this world again. It says in Ephesians 2:1-4 that we were dead in our transgressions. We were slaves to our desires and could not fulfill our purposes in Life which is serving God. When Christ came he gave us new life in him. We now belong to the Kingdom of God which represents life itself, found in Christ Jesus. We are here in this dead world to show its people the path to life, not to fall back into the path of death.
Diplomats must remember to respect the ways of the country that he/she is working in. In the same way we must remember to respect others while we work for the Kingdom of God. Not only respect them but we must love them. In all things in our Christian lives, love is the most important. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-40 that loving God with all we have is the greatest commandment and loving your neighbor is next in line. Even if our neighbor be of the world, we are commanded to love them. We will not always be treated well and respectfully however. As we work the work of our Kingdom, the people here try to work theirs and they are in constant conflict. Even when faced with this, we must remain strong to our goals, no losing focus, but remembering that this will bring us much more in the Kingdom of God for we are furthering his goals during persecution.
The conflict we face here in our lives will be difficult but it is also a gift. I believe conflict is a way for God to show his power. In our everyday lives it is difficult to rely on God because we have it all in hand but during conflict we rely of him because we realize our need for him. Then we grow closer in our relationship with him. The more we rely on him, the more he shows himself to us, and therefore we grow closer to him. As we learn more about our King, we learn more about what to do on this world. The most important thing to remember in conflict is to rely on the Lord and remember what he has told you. Conflict can also shatter you as well so it is wise not to search for conflict. Conflict can be too much for you to handle but remember that whether or not you feel God is working or not in this conflict, he is always there with you. He may not do what we want but he sees the big picture. He may be working for a greater purpose altogether in the conflict you are in.
Whether we are in conflict or not, God always has a purpose for you who are his envoy in this broken world. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11 “In him (Jesus) we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” What an amazing statement! God works out everything in accordance to his will so whether or not you choose this or that, God knows what you will choose and will use it according to his will. He has purpose for everything done under the sun. Let us remember this as we try to further the will of God. You are not here just to breathe air, but you are here because God has a purpose for you: To love and serve him in everything you do while loving others and God especially.
In everything that we do, let it be for the Kingdom of God and not for our own selfish desires which is what the world does, for that is what the world does, and we are not of this world but part of the Kingdom of God because we have been named by God his children. We may be on this dead world, but we have been brought into life with Christ and let it be evident in us as we continue to represent the Kingdom of God but let us remember to do this with love and respect for all here whether kin, friend, or stranger. Lastly, remember that God loves us no matter how much we mess up because his great love does not depend upon our actions. He loves us and there is nothing we can do about that. Let us not shrink up on our responsibilities as Christians but don’t let it overwhelm you either because God is with you. Let him take care of the impossible, all he asks you to do is what falls before you.