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 (2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

From the verse above, we see the Apostle Paul’s careful use of words. In verse eighteen, he said, “We (all of us) have been given the ministry of reconciliation.” Then he presses home the importance of this ministry of reconciliation, urging the Corinthian church to take the message to the world.

 

But Paul was after something else as well, which he communicates to them. After asseverating the importance of reconciling men to God, he went on to his next subject and says, “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” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

When he said, “We are ambassadors for Christ,” he wasn’t referring to the whole church of Christ; rather, he was referring to himself and his companions who were with him such as Timothy, with whom he wrote this letter. He counselled the Corinthian church to be reconciled to God. The same people he had told to reconcile the world to God are now being told to be reconciled to God. Why?

 

It’s because they had not been living right. Therefore, he says to them, “Just as the Spirit has said, ‘go to the people of the world and reconcile them to God’, He’s also saying to you, repent and be reconciled to God.” This is important because as God’s people, we’re encouraged to be involved in the work of the ministry, to take the message of salvation to the unsaved and reconcile men to God. But while you’re at it, live a life that’s pleasing to the Lord.

 

Christianity is a call to righteousness and a walk in righteousness. Don’t live in sin. The Bible says sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). Serve God in holiness and righteousness. Stay in the Word and practise your Christianity, regardless of the pressures. Live the life of a righteous person every day.