"The Life of Representation"

 

    "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (II Corinthians 5:20).

 

    The ambassador lives his life to represent not himself, but another.  He is ever mindful that his words, actions, and perhaps most importantly, his attitudes, faithfully reflect the person and purposes of the leader to whom he is devoted. 

 

    "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord" (II Corinthians 4:5).

 

     The Lord Jesus lived His life accordingly.  Speaking to His Father, He declared, "I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4).  Our Savior perfectly unveiled the heart and mind of God for us because He sought not His own glory, but that of His Father (John 8:50).  Humanity exists for this sublime purpose.  God created us in His image to be the visible representation of His existence, being, character, nature and way (Genesis 1:26).  Sin blinded us to this reason for our existence and basis of our heart's peace, joy, and contentment.  Salvation in the Lord Jesus opens our eyes and makes possible the only true life that exists for us, the life of representation and ambassadorship.

 

    If we have believed, this day promises and commands that we may live for the glory and revelation of God rather than ourselves.  Ponder this blessed bestowal of grace for a moment, and then breathe the sweet sigh of relief as we offer the deadly delusion of self aggrandizement upon the altar of "not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."  Recall that He "made Himself of no reputation" during His earthly lifetime (Philippians 2:7).  And then rejoice in the realization that He lives in us to enable the same ambassadorship.  We are lamps upon which the light of God shines.  Accepting our honored role establishes our hearts in devotion, our minds in truth, and our existence in the rest that comes only as the wicked and insane pursuit of vainglory is exchanged for the fulfilling glory of the life of representation.

 

"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory."

(Psalm 115:1)

 

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9).