Volume 27, Issue 3
Page 28
WisconsinChristianNews.com
God’s Will and Purpose, Ambassadors
By Ron Webster Summer 2026
nature, the basis for His abun- dant grace; His sacrifice, aton- ing for the sins of the world. Therefore “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all our unright- eousness (I John 1:9). 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore if any man be in Christ (and Christ in us), he is a new creature (2537-different creature): old things are passed away: behold all things are become new (different). And all things are of God, who
Paul the apostle had described his ministry as an ambassador in Eph- esians 6:20, for the purpose of mak- ing known the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4). In 2 Corinthians 4:1- 4 he also describes this ministry as something to be personally commit- ted to, so as to not misrepresent Him
in any way shape or form, with the power given him: that through us, the world around us would see the life of Christ and His divine nature in us. “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have (of our free will) renounced the hid- den things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully (1389-adulterating the Scriptures, as Jesus describes the teachers of His day in Matthew chapter 23, as blind fools and hypocrites); but by manifestation of the truth commending (4921-to set together, introduce, to exhibit in) our- selves to every man’s conscience (4893-a knowing of one’s self), to see completely, to understand or become aware. That faculty by which we apprehend the will of God, which is designed to gov- ern our lives. To deny our conscience, we sear it, rendering it useless to accomplish its purpose) in the sight of God. But if (by our word or deed) our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” In 2 Corinthians 4:5-6, Paul explains how we are also ambas- sadors. “For we preach not ourselves (as if we are somehow the authority, as the Pharisees considered themselves) but Christ Jesus the Lord: and ourselves your servant for Jesus’ sake.” That is what an ambassador is: a representative to serve those whom our Lord serves. “For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts;” Not only in creation, but also into all the world. (John 1:4-5, 9). “In Him (Jesus the Son of God) was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (ob- tained) it not… (But) that was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” even though they comprehended it not! In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, Paul continues with this purpose, “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (in our heart and conscience), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” In other words, the mystery of Jesus Christ and His gospel is a treasure that is in us, which is the same true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, of which we are called to represent that light. That light is His divine
Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that Thou mayest be justified when Thou speaketh, and be clear when Thou judgest.” It is true we violate others’ rights, but it is the laws of God that we chose to defy… “Behold Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wis- dom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot our all mine iniquities (my knowledge of evil). Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (as born again). Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” Very similar to what is said in I John 1:9. “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit” (3559/7307- firmly established Spirit). King David then commits himself to God’s promises in verses 13-18 saying, “Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways (the only way, to the truth, and the life that brings hope in a world filled with the knowledge of evil); and sinners shall be converted unto Thee (making disciples). Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy (right think- ing). O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise (unto all the world, as we were commended in Deuteronomy 4:1-9, and Isaiah 42:1, 6). For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offerings (for they have become rituals of pride). The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart (1794-humbled in bro- kenness), O God, Thou wilt not despise.
hath reconciled us (2644-to change us from being at odds in our thinking, to thinking the same) to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2643-a ministry of changing the way they think, putting their faith in what they now believe, determining what they trust, which determines how they live); To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling (2644-changing one’s relationship from that of an enemy to that of friendship) the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (upon their repentance, he is just to forgive only because He has already paid the price); and hath committed unto us the word of reconcil- iation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye rec- onciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the (right thinking) of God in Him,” born again. What does the term “born again” mean? It was first used by Jesus in John 3:3, 10, making these statements to Nicodemus: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” and “Art though a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” This is not a new concept found only in the New Testa- ment, but we know it is presented several times in the Old Tes- tament. In Psalm 51:1-12, King David understood being born again as having a new way of thinking. Saying, “have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness (divine nature): according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies (gentleness), blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (describing the divine nature of God). For I ac-
knowledge my transgres- sions: and my sin is ever be- fore me: Against Thee,
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