Today, reply is made on whether writers on the Internet are “good ambassadors” for Christ. Ambassadors, apostles, prophets, and spokespersons are only “good” to the degree they repeat completely and correctly what they have been sent to speak. The banishment of Absalom—a son of King David, who would one day force his father to flee from Zion to save his own life, and that of the kingdom—is recalled, and the ploy by the king’s General and nephew (Joab) that used an old, wise woman of Tekoah to induce the king to commute the sentence against Absalom. The principles of forgiveness, mercy, and righteousness in judgment are proclaimed along with reconciliation, renewal, and salvation. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Are the Christians on this site good ambassadors for Christ or are they rotten ones turning people away from the faith?
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us
2 Corinthians 20
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Colossians 1: 12-22, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Practice of Love (07/27/2017); Reconciliation Provided By Christ (05/30/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); Rulers Who Are Prophets? (01/25/2017); The Sure Mercies of David (09/19/2016); As Agents of Divinity (06/12/2016); How To Treat Unbelievers? (01/13/2016)
“Anonymous”, many within the body of Christ understand the work of a Christian ambassador to be that of a spokesperson (we say, prophet) having to serve as a personal representative of the anointed monarch, an embodiment of his authority, kingdom and rule, and a trusted agent who negotiates agreements and treaties with other governments and kingdoms to establish mutual benefit. To prophesy is to speak only as commanded, neither adding ones own opinions and thoughts, nor omitting anything that has been imparted. Thus, the substance of prophecy is comfort, edification (we say, enlightenment; building up the body), and exhortation (urging action) to those of the church. Within the body, believers display great diversity, and come under a principle of “oneness without sameness.” They are not all at the same level of maturity, sacred knowledge, and sacred practice. Where developing believers leave the community of faith they become as those in captivity, or those banished and exiled through sanctions of the law, or the disfavor of the king. The work of an ambassador, then, is to embrace those gone astray, or lost by inviting and facilitating their return to Christ. In practical terms this may mean performing works of visitation; encouraging or hearing the confession of others; proclaiming atonement, forgiveness and continuing sacred love through Jesus Christ; and further revealing the mercy and righteousness of divine judgment. Consider again the following:
(1.) 2nd Samuel 14: 9-14, King James Version (KJV): 9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless. 10 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. 11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. 12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. 13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. 14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
(2.) Psalms 51: 11-17, KJV: 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(3.) 1st Thessalonians 5: 14-15, KJV: 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, KJV: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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