If I Were King
July 6
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Look, if you don’t want this assignment, I’ll give it to someone else,” Carl’s editor said. “Look at it this way. It’ll give you an opportunity to present your case.”
Carl was being sent to interview a nationally known talk show host whose stance against God’s existence and religion, Christianity in particular, was widely known. The interview was to be part of an upcoming segment on faith, or the lack of it.
“Oh, I want it, Ruthie. It’s just that I don’t understand how people can ignore the presence of a Creator, let alone take the stance this guy takes. You have to admit, he displays an unusual intolerance for Christianity.” Carl felt the man’s snubbing of God bordered on hatred and foreshadowed his eternal damnation. “I don’t get how you miss it that badly.”
Ruth posed the question, “So what would you do with this guy if you were king?”
Carl thought a moment and then responded, “I have to say I’m glad I don’t have that responsibility. I deserve judgment myself. But because of Christ, I’m assured of salvation.” He paused a moment and concluded, “Not all that long ago, I’d have cut myself slack while meeting out horrific sentences to those I disagree with. I’m not qualified to make those decisions. Nor do I want to. Pray I look like Christ to this guy.”
†
Pride is an insidious evil. It tells us we’ve got it all together and have every right to stand in judgment of those who don’t believe as we do. It’s so easy to set ourselves up as king of creation, when the truth is we tend to forget where we’d be if it weren’t for God’s loving mercy and grace.
We are to be Christ’s ambassadors, not His Supreme Court justices.
Paul wrote to Corinth to help them understand God wants to reconcile our sins, not count them against us. So if the God of Creation extends such a warm welcome to those who are spiritually dying, how much more, as His ambassadors, should we do the same?
Prayer
“Father God, You alone are to judge the nations. I never want to be the reason someone feels he is not worthy of salvation. Help me be Your ambassador and not someone’s judge. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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