via TJC
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV
This week we are discussing your role as God’s ambassador to those you are building up as disciple makers.
A couple years ago I held the position of Christian Lay Leader aboard a United States military vessel. As an ordinary crewmember I attended to my duties day in and day out, but on Sundays I was given authority by my Commanding Officer to conduct divine services while the ship was underway and tend to the spiritual needs of the crew. I was immediately stricken with just how weighty a responsibility this was. In accepting this responsibility I was instantly the public face of Christianity to those 120 sailors. The vast majority of the crew was not religious, and I was the resident “Jesus man”. People jokingly called me “Father” as I met them in the passageways, and I had a good relationship with most crew members. I knew that acting the wrong way…saying the wrong thing…was not just a threat to my own reputation, but also could impact what that person thought about God and Jesus.
In my time as the Christian Lay Leader I truly learned what it meant to represent God to other people. I was His ambassador, and it was important that I represent him correctly and authentically. Just as Peter wrote in the scripture above, it was essential that I live a good life and show goodness to those around me for THEIR sake. My faith in Christ is my salvation, and my salvation doesn’t do anyone any good except me…UNLESS I live that salvation outwardly for people to see. Then I can say that I have revealed God to people, and they have known Him through knowing me.
Daily Battle Order:
Kingdom Man, you are a stranger in a strange land. Those around you judge the character of your God by judging YOUR character. You are God’s ambassador. Today consider every interaction you have could be the only representation of Christ to that person. How will you represent Him? How will you train other disciple makers to represent Him?
"My faith in Christ is my salvation, and my salvation doesn’t do anyone any good except me…UNLESS I live that salvation outwardly for people to see." I've not considered this statement of faith as a Disciple Maker. It certainly adds a clear perspective to me and my salvation.
I have to remind myself that being too religious and failing to be “real” or authentic to people can be just as much a turn-off to the gospel as perceived “bad behavior”. I’ve never been in such confined quarters as a ship underway but I guess we all have that group of people who are watching to see if our lives live up to our words.