The Church: On MissionSample

Belonging to Christ means that we receive a new identity. Our old life, marked by sin, is gone! Because of Jesus, our broken relationship with God is restored. In Paul’s words, we have been reconciled, meaning reunited, with God. With that new identity comes a new calling – now that we are reconciled, we get to join God in the business of reconciliation!

God says that we are his ambassadors in the world, meaning that we represent him to our friends, our families, and our culture. We speak on behalf of the God of the universe; that thought alone should fill us with awe! We’ve experienced the life-changing work he’s done in our lives, and that compels us to tell others.

Being an ambassador won’t always be easy. But we aren’t alone. We have God’s presence, his Word, and our community of believers, the church! Hearing one another’s stories, offering encouragement, and praying together are part of God’s design for us.We need each other as we live on mission, together.

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Reflection Questions:

• Where do you see the world’s need for Jesus, both near and far? How might the lives of your friends or family members who don’t know Jesus change if they gave their lives to him?
• How might you start living as an ambassador right now where God has placed you? Or, how are you already doing this?
• Is there anything holding you back from joining the mission of reconciling others to God? Whether you have insecurities, fears, or doubts, don’t face them alone. Share those feelings with a friend or mentor and ask them to help you work through them. Ask God to help you overcome any obstacles and fill you with confidence and courage to live out the mission.