Scripture and the Reformation: Ambassadors
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Like the early Christians we must move into a sometime hostile world armed with the revolutionary gospel of Jesus Christ. With this powerful gospel we shall boldly challenge the status quo. ~ Martin Luther
One man, Martin Luther, took a stand that literally shredded the fabric of Europe. It changed theology, it changed politics, it changed society and it changed political boundaries. It gave us a revolution in education, in literacy. There are many, many manifestations of the Reformation. ~ Tom Rassieur
Among definitions of ambassador are: accredited diplomat; official representative; and promoter.
Ambassadors sometimes get cushy positions with allies.
And sometimes more difficult positions in countries we have tense relationships with. (and more often than not even with allies those relationships are tense).
Luther knew that being an ambassador for Christ wasn't going to be easy. That often it would mean facing hostility and tension.
But the work of being an ambassador nevertheless was critical for spreading the message of the Kin-dom of God.
It is a message Paul tells us of reconciliation.
It is a message Luther tells us of challenging the status quo.
It is a message Rassieur tells us that will turn everything upside down: theology, politics, society, and boundaries.
And that's what we are called to.
We are called to represent that upheaval.
To promote change of the status quo.
We are accredited through our baptisms to spread the message of God's desire for the reconciliation of the world.
Your diplomatic credentials are in. Are you ready?
Prayer: Send me on my way, Lord, that I might represent you well! Amen
Like the early Christians we must move into a sometime hostile world armed with the revolutionary gospel of Jesus Christ. With this powerful gospel we shall boldly challenge the status quo. ~ Martin Luther
One man, Martin Luther, took a stand that literally shredded the fabric of Europe. It changed theology, it changed politics, it changed society and it changed political boundaries. It gave us a revolution in education, in literacy. There are many, many manifestations of the Reformation. ~ Tom Rassieur
Among definitions of ambassador are: accredited diplomat; official representative; and promoter.
Ambassadors sometimes get cushy positions with allies.
And sometimes more difficult positions in countries we have tense relationships with. (and more often than not even with allies those relationships are tense).
Luther knew that being an ambassador for Christ wasn't going to be easy. That often it would mean facing hostility and tension.
But the work of being an ambassador nevertheless was critical for spreading the message of the Kin-dom of God.
It is a message Paul tells us of reconciliation.
It is a message Luther tells us of challenging the status quo.
It is a message Rassieur tells us that will turn everything upside down: theology, politics, society, and boundaries.
And that's what we are called to.
We are called to represent that upheaval.
To promote change of the status quo.
We are accredited through our baptisms to spread the message of God's desire for the reconciliation of the world.
Your diplomatic credentials are in. Are you ready?
Prayer: Send me on my way, Lord, that I might represent you well! Amen