40 Days of Prayer – Youth Devotional Day DAY 27

THE CHURCH AS CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION 

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19–20  

The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and  leadership of Christ. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that  intent. An ambassador is a respected official acting as a representative of a nation. Sent to a  foreign land, the ambassador’s role is to represent and reflect the person who sent him/her.  Writing to the Corinthians, Paul talked about how his calling, or mission, was of an ambas sador, and he urged all Christians to consider themselves ambassadors for Christ. The gospel  of reconciliation was always at the heart of Paul’s preaching: “For Christ did not send me to  baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17). 

Our reconciliation with God is possible only because Christ went to the cross and received  the punishment for our sin. When our Savior cried out, “It is finished,” the barrier between  sinful man and Holy God was removed, making all those who trust in Him “holy in His sight,  without blemish, and free from accusation” (Col. 1:22). Our reconciliation is based on the  salvation Jesus provides, and it is accepted by faith (see John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Jesus’ intent for the Church is for us to be God’s ambassadors. We’ve been “approved by God  to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thess. 2:4). As we go through this world, we represent God’s  Kingdom, and it is our responsibility to represent and reflect Christ to the world. Empowered  by the Holy Spirit, we must take the message of our God to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8),  urging men and women everywhere to be reconciled to God. 

PRAYER POINTS: 

1. Ask God to give you opportunities to share the gospel with those around  you. Pray that He will open your eyes to those opportunities.  

2. Pray that God will ready the hearts of those around you who He has  placed in your life to talk about the gospel.  

3. Ask for His Spirit to fill you as you reflect and represent Christ to the world. »by Nhia Moua