Saved To Represent Jesus

SAVED TO REPRESENT JESUS CHRIST

By Rodney W. Francis

The purpose of Jesus Christ’s mission to earth to pay the price for our sins and rebellion against a Holy God is more than our becoming saved for heaven, but also that we may be so changed by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are Christ’s representatives here on earth. We are made to be His ambassadors:

“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. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

The word “ambassador” means: “to be the elder or eldest; to rank before, take precedence of others. To be an ambassador or go as one; to treat or negotiate as one” (Bullinger’s); “1. short for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary; a diplomatic minister of the highest rank, accredited as permanent representative to another country or sovereign. 2. ambassador extraordinary, a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission. 3. ambassador plenipotentiary, a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers. 4. ambassador-at-large, an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government. 5. an authorized representative or messenger” (Collins English Dictionary). The word “plenipotentiary” means 1. invested with or possessing full power or authority. 2. conferring full power or authority. 3. (of power or authority full; absolute). 4. a person invested with full authority to transact business, especially a diplomat authorized to represent a country” (Collins). In short, Jesus has invested in us whatever we need to represent Him here on earth today ~ wherever He sends us.

What kind of ambassador for Jesus are you?

JESUS CHRIST IS WITHIN YOU ~ NOW!

The true born-again, Holy Spirit-filled Christian has Jesus Christ alive within us. The Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) have come and taken up residence within us.

He now wants to continue His work on the earth through you and me allowing Him to have His way in us.
We have been invested with power and authority to speak and act on behalf of Him.

The Apostle Paul knew the truth of being an ambassador when he said: “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship (”dispensation or administration”) from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery (“secret or hidden truth”) which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect (“complete, perfect, full, wanting nothing”) in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labour, striving according to His working which works in me mightily (“dunamis”)” (Colossians 1:24-29).

Paul knew that Christ was living inside of him and he had power and authority to do things he had never done before he met Jesus. Likewise, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we have that same Jesus living inside of us: “Christ in YOU, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). He has given us His power and authority to speak and act on His behalf. Why is it so important that we are filled with the Holy Spirit? Because the Holy Spirit is the “dunamis” power of God (Acts 1:8) and enables us rise above every obstacle that would prevent us from obeying the will of God. The word ‘dunamis’ means “act of power (Young’s), miraculous power, ability (Strong’s), natural capability, inherent power; capability of anything, ability to perform anything; then, absolutely, not merely power capable of action, but, power in action” (Bullinger’s). “Dunamis” is used 121 times in the New Testament and translated into the following English words: ability (1), abundance (1), meaning (1), might (4), mighty deed (1), mighty work (11), miracle (8), power (77), strength (7), violence (1), virtue (3), wonderful work (1), worker of miracles (1) and mighty (4).

There is no limit to what God can do in and through us when we are yielded to His Lordship.

Consider the disciples of Jesus: before they were filled with the “dunamis” power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), they were very limited in what they could do. So much so that when Jesus gave them the Great Commission they were filled with unbelief and hardness of heart and not in a good place to represent Jesus (see Mark 16:9-18). But after Jesus’ resurrection and returning to the Father in heaven, they were filled with the Holy Spirit “dunamis” power and “they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20). The risen Jesus Christ had come to live inside of them by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit and they were transformed from hard-hearted, unbelieving followers of Jesus into men of power who were able to demonstrate by word and deeds that Jesus was indeed alive in them. Notice what the Scripture says: “they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen”. Because of who they now were, they took the lead and God went with them and confirming what they preached with signs, wonders and miracles! Praise the Lord!

“SUCH AS I HAVE, I GIVE TO YOU”

In Acts 3, when Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting, they came across a lame street beggar, who wanted money from them. Peter stopped, looked at him and said: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk”.

Peter knew that he now had power and authority to speak and act on behalf of the Jesus dwelling within him.

He did not make excuses and tell the lame man that he was going to pray and that if it was the Lord’s will he would pray for him on his way home. No, he knew he had what it takes to see that man healed. And he was! The result was not only a healed man, but about 5,000 people came to Jesus (Acts 4:1-4).

Far too often Christians are praying and asking God to give them what He has already given to them! We have to learn to exercise what He has given us through the authority He has invested in us to represent Him here on the earth. What a huge impact Christians would make on this generation if we operated as true ambassadors and used the power and authority that God has invested in us. We would see many more people coming to Christ because they would know that through our words and actions that Jesus is alive today to meet their every need.

Do you know what God has given you?
What are you doing with what God has given to you?
Are you like the disciples of Jesus before Pentecost, or after Pentecost when they were filled with the ‘dunamis’ power of God?
What changes do you have to make to be more effective in the purposes of God?
Know that Jesus has saved you to represent Him on the earth today!

May we all consider what has been written in this article, and be encouraged ~ and challenged ~ to release the Godhead within us out to a lost and needy world. God bless you.

"The Gospel Faith Messenger" Ministry., New Zealand. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.