Living as God's Ambassadors in a Broken World

By Dean Collins

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 is important context for our understanding of chapter 6. Not only do we learn that we are made new by Christ when we come to faith in him, we also learn that God has declared that we are his ambassadors, or representatives, in the kingdom of God. If you are having any doubts about your worth, then know this reality: God calls you a new creation and his ambassador! 

Our identity in Christ flows from the amazing realization that we have been reconciled to God through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Jesus paid for all our mistakes and sins and simultaneously gave us new identities and a new calling. 

Paul continues this progression in chapter 6 by telling us that we are “working together with him.” Our work is not isolated. We are not called to go it alone. We are working on God’s team to accomplish his objective, which is the redemption and reconciliation of all his creation. This happens as we share the good news and live according to the commandments of Jesus, namely, to love God and love others the way that he loves.

Paul went on to urge the Corinthian believers and us to not receive the grace of God in vain. How and why would anyone receive the grace of God in vain? We might find an answer to our question as we consider the dynamics in Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, we discover his great love for this group of believers. We also discover that this church is filled with different factions of people who believe they have the right agenda and leader. The infighting in the Corinthian church was weakening the church and therefore weakening its overall impact on the world.

In addition, some in the church didn’t respect Paul’s leadership and even questioned his status as an apostle. Yet in 2 Corinthians, we see that Paul views the church in Corinth as having been reconciled to Christ as his new creation and as fellow ambassadors with him of God’s kingdom. Here is the key point I believe Paul is making with his comment of not receiving the grace of God in vain: we can’t be reconciled with God and simultaneously alienated from each other. 

This passage may have a similar thought as the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive the trespasses of those who sin against us.” God’s grace flows from the cross to us, not just to cover our sins and restore our relationship with him but also to reconcile us to each other.

Paul experienced his suffering through afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, and hunger. He lived the grace of God in his relationship with the Corinthians even as they treated him as an imposter. His final words in verse 13 call for his fellow ambassadors to “widen their hearts.” This widening would be a demonstration that they have not received God’s grace in vain.

Paul had a unique relationship with the church at Corinth. I wonder if this text might challenge you as it does me to evaluate my relationships with fellow believers, especially those with whom I might have disagreement or where some old hurt or wound may still be festering. Maybe Paul’s comments to the Corinthians might motivate us to offer grace and forgiveness to someone who has hurt us.

Jesus is clear that the world will know who he is by how well his followers love each other. If we hold grudges, cling to old wounds, or fail to be reconciled to another believer, Paul’s instructions from this chapter may need to be a matter of prayer and action, so that we can together show the world the power of the cross.

Father, forgive us for the times we have failed to forgive those who have wronged us. Forgive us for the times we have held back your grace even when you have poured out yourself for us so freely. Today we pray that your Holy Spirit might show us relationships where we must offer your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 6:1-13 ESV

Photo by Nathan McDine on Unsplash
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