Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5 v 17 - 21: "17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
The moment we are born again we become a new creation in Christ. When Jesus rose from the dead He was the firstfruits or prototype of a new kind of people. We are called peculiar people because the world cannot fathom what we are all about.
From Adam to the last person who died before Jesus died and resurrected, man was born without a living Saviour to redeem them. All were born in sin. The Jews were under the law and knew how sinful they were but the law makes no one righteous. When Jesus died the need for religious law was over.
As the new creation we have God's will written in our hearts. Our sins are eternally forgiven - but we need to keep ourselves that way. No pandering to the flesh if it means falling into error of sin. Make sure we are learning doctrines that are compatible with our Bible, not words bent out of shape to fit. So examine what you hear across the pulpit with scripture. Many errors are believed as gospel truth today.
His will for you is different from His will for me. We are to obey His will always to stay in harmony with His plan. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and we need to promote peace and harmony to sinners so they may be reconciled too. If the world sees that we are no different to them why would they want to change.
We must be Ambassadors who promote the Kingdom of God. The Church - the invisible Body of Jesus Christ, not the building of stone - is the safe house for defectors from the sinful world. The Body of Christ is made up of born again believers of every colour, denomination and country. In the Old Testament the Book of Esther reveals her in an Ambassador role. She had to risk her life by approaching the King to plead for the lives of the News living in Persia. Her victory is remembered annually as Purim and it occurred this week, just as Iran - Persia - is losing the murderous regime.
Before the final war called Armageddon is declared the embassy (church) will be closed and the Ambassadors pulled out and caught up to Heaven. This event is called the Rapture and for almost 3 1/2 years we will be caught up to Heaven and changed into the absolute likeness of Jesus, the Bridegroom. He is the Head and We are His Body. Literally. Colossians 1 v 18 : "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence."
Armageddon is the earthly manifestation of the war that broke out in Heaven causing Lucifer to fall like lightning and be known as satan. After Armageddon he will be chained 1000 years in the bottomless pit or abyss. Another bad fall. After the Judgment when 1000 years are over satan will be sent forever into the lake of fire.
The church is not for sinners. We need to bring the sinners to Jesus outside the church because the church is the sanctuary for believers. Jesus ministered to people outside the Temple and told them about salvation. We should follow His lead. The presence of sin in the sanctuary causes it to be polluted and breaks down the anointing. The anointing is the Holy Spirit coming on believers for ministry and discipleship.
The Ambassadors who witness for Jesus must promote the kingdom of Heaven and the power of Jesus to sinners then bring the newly saved souls into the sanctuary for teaching and growth. That keeps the anointing pure and powerful.
Prayer: Heavenly Father unbelievers call this New Creation peculiar people. And so we are for we live by faith. Thank You for making us different. Help us to be worthy Ambassadors for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.