Called to Be Ambassadors
Welcome to Peniel CrossRoads, where we embrace Jesus’s heart and together live out the call to biblical unity!
God has called every believer to be ambassadors of reconciliation, calling others to be reconciled to God. Sometimes, the enemy makes us feel so insecure for this calling. But, in many ways it is a very simple task.
The heart of our message as ambassadors is simply this—Jesus Christ and the cross.To expand it just a little bit...”For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Our message is SO simple—the sin of this world is so complex and deep that it requires a savior. We cannot fix ourselves, we can’t rescue ourselves, and we must be saved. When my cell phone breaks, it doesn’t fix itself. And I certainly do not pry it open and try to fix it myself. No! I take my iPhone back to the Apple store. The one who created my phone can fix my phone.
Humanity’s problems require a Savior—the One who created us is the One who can fix us. You just have to let Him in to do the work!
That’s our message: that God can do what you can’t! So we get to know people, listen to their stories, and point them to the Savior. Like Paul, we determine that our message will be only Jesus Christ. Jesus IS the answer.
I (Chris) visited London in 1997, and I really enjoyed those few days in England. I saw many famous, beautiful sites. But one of the best memories I have was of a homeless girl I met one day.
It seemed odd to me that there were so many homeless young people there in London, a city where anyone could get a job if they wanted.
But on many streets I saw young people sitting on the concrete, blankets over their legs and a cup next to them for begging.
One day, I decided I must find out more. So, I bought a sandwich and a drink at a 7-11 shop, and I sat down next to a young lady. She was probably about 25 years old. I gave her the sandwich and the drink, which she accepted. I asked her about her story, and she shared it with me---a rough home life, living with her boyfriend, drugs and alcohol. He kicked her out, and she was on the streets. Every day, she begged until she had enough money to check into a hotel and buy food. That was her life.
I sat there on the concrete sidewalk of busy London, listening. People in suits and ties walked by. I didn’t really know what to say. Finally I asked her how much more she needed to check into a hotel. She told me, and I gave her that much. Then I said, “Well, I just wanted you to know that somebody cares, and God loves you.”
Two days later, I visited her again. I sat down on the sidewalk, and as soon as I sat down, she said, “Hold on a second.” She turned away from me and did something I couldn’t see. When she turned around, she had an American one-dollar bill in her hand. She handed it to me and on it had written, “Thanks for reminding me about God.” She told me, “Two nights ago, after I met you and later checked into a hotel, I started to pray. I gave my life to God because of what you said to me.”
I still have that dollar bill somewhere in my parents’ house!
I never saw her again after those two meetings, but I gave her my parents’ address so she could write. We wrote back and forth two times, I think, just enough to know that she had found a church that could help get her off drugs and the streets. The Holy Spirit and some ambassadors of reconciliation in London—some average Christians—were helping her.
Isn’t it amazing how the Spirit works!?! All I said were thirteen words to this young lady as I was leaving, and one of the words was “God.” Later that night, the Holy Spirit did the rest!
Lord Most High, help me not to underestimate the witness of the Spirit in my life. I want to live boldly for you, because You are the Answer and the Hope for this generation and every people group. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…” II Cor. 5:18,20
“When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” I Cor 2:1-2