Biblical Success - What Me? An Ambassador? Who Says?Sample

How do we do that?

Scripture

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” -- Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

LIVING AS LIGHT IN THE MARKETPLACE

How does this verse relate to the subject of being an Ambassador for Christ? 

First of all, consider that throughout Scripture the image of light is used to represent God and his truth illuminating in darkness. Consider especially the remarkable corollary of Genesis 1 ("In the beginning . . . . Let there be light") and John 1 ("In the beginning . . . .The light shines in the darkness"). Both texts are introducing a new created order that is being ushered in with darkness-disrupting light! In Genesis 1, God speaks light into existence and through it ushers in a magnificent universe. In John, God speaks again into the world, this time disrupting spiritual darkness in the person of Jesus, the "light of the world."

Second, consider the properties of light. Light is not divisible or able to be fragmented into compartments. It either shines or it doesn’t. Thus the strength of this metaphor: Just as light cannot be compartmentalized but rather shines in darkness, so too our lives, as we’ve outlined above, are not to be segregated into parts that we apply where and when desired. When we delineate our lives into compartments, we limit the scope of both and look for the sacred only in expected "Christian" settings, while similarly anticipating only the secular or "worldly" in our places of work. We are designed to live one life -- one life in Christ truly letting Him live through us. This happens when: we:

• Serve others with sincerity and respect, even when it is not profitable or to our advantage.


• Respond in kindness to others who are complaining or upset.


• Demonstrate grace when it is obviously undeserved.


• In humility refuse to take advantage of privileges that our position offers.


• Refuse to take unfair advantage even when we could gain by doing so.


• Use money to serve people rather than using people to make money.


• And in hundreds of other ways, live the teachings and values of Jesus as we relate to those in our “circles of influence.”

We are involved through our daily work and life in a holy calling. We have been called by God to prepare budgets, not sermons. We are not called to exegete Scripture, but to live it before men. We are frontline troops as Ambassadors for Christ.

What are your thoughts? Do you really believe, at a functional level, that you and your place in life as an Ambassador for Christ  are every bit as holy in God’s eyes as that of your pastor or any other ministry leader? What and Who makes a calling holy?