‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.’ – John 1:9-12 (NIV)

Ambassadors of Christ – written by Joy Suarkia, MAF Papua New Guinea

I recall when our technicians from MAF Technologies successfully completed a solar-power light installation in a remote community and decided to set up a Jesus film at night as a way to minister to the community.

Towards the end of the film, a young man, compelled and convicted by what he watched, approached our technicians and asked them to pray over his life because he wanted to receive Jesus in his life. Our technical team were honoured and overjoyed to witness a life being saved.

Representatives of Christ…

It’s stories like this that makes me realise that we, as children of God, are called to be ambassadors of Christ to reflect His light wherever we are. As 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, ‘Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.’

God wants us to use the time we have, where we are, and with what we have to be ambassadors of His light. We don’t necessarily have to be in missions, have certain training or a degree for God to use us in an incredible way. God uses everyone and anyone who would make themselves available for Him to use.

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:16-17, ‘to make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. Don’t be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.’

Children of Christ…

We were aware that the technical team went there to do the solar installation, and we would have expected them to be exhausted by the end of the hard day’s work, but instead they chose to be ambassadors of Christ and use the opportunity they had to minister to the community through the Jesus film. And the end result was a life being saved.

That night, the community did not only receive solar-power lights, but they received the source of all life and light. Meanwhile, heaven also rejoiced in receiving a soul that gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 15:7).

Lights of Christ…

There may be times where we feel inadequate and not qualified to represent God to shine His light in certain areas of our lives or with a particular group of people, but John 1:12 says, ‘Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.’

That means that, when we receive Jesus Christ and believe in His name with all our heart, we are given the title of Children of God and have every right as Children of God to represent our Heavenly Father.

1.     What skills or abilities has God given you to use to shine His light in every aspect of your life?

2.     How can you be intentional in being an ambassador of God?

Father, help us to be intentional about how we live our lives – not as unwise, but wise children that we may be able to represent You well and display Your light in a world that is covered in darkness. We pray, Lord, that You would give us the courage to use the tools and talents that You have blessed us with to draw people to You.

May we never doubt ourselves and the call You have upon our lives, but help us to trust You and be obedient to where You have called us to be. May we know, Lord, that You are intentional and have plans beyond our expectation and understanding. May You help us to know our rights as Children of God and exercise those rights in ministering Your truth to the lives of those we meet and come to know.

Lord Jesus, we live according to Your agenda, which is to do the will of Your Father, so everything that we do, we do to represent God’s Kingdom and for God’s Glory – so have Your way, Lord!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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