I had some new business cards printed this week. I could have printed a card that said, "No job. No title. No office. No income. No responsibility." But that card would not be true to my calling and responsibility.
I am an ambassador. I am appointed to represent a higher power. I do not speak on my own initiative. I do not pronounce or promote my own personal program. I speak as I am authorized, according to the wishes of my sovereign. As far as possible, I do only what my sovereign would do were he himself present.
I represent Christ and the kingdom of God. I am vested with authority and power, but not to use it according to my desires. My mission is to make known and to explain the terms on which God is willing to be reconciled to people. I do not have liberty to negotiate any new terms, nor to change those which God has proposed.
I do not promote my own welfare, nor do I seek honor or dignity. I go to transact the business which the Son of God would engage in were he again personally on the earth. My office is one of great responsibility as ambassador of the King of kings.
Charles Wesley expressed it well poetically:
"God, the offended God most high,
Ambassadors to rebels sends;
His messengers his place supply,
And Jesus begs us to be friends.
Us, in the stead of Christ, they pray,
Us, in the stead of Christ, entreat,
To cast our arms, our sins, away,
And find forgiveness at his feet.
Our God, in Christ, thine embassy
And proffer'd mercy we embrace;
And, gladly reconciled to thee,
Thy condescending mercy praise.
Poor debtors, by our Lord's request
A full acquittance we receive;
And criminals, with pardon blest,
We, at our Judge's instance, live."
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