ARE YOU AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS?

Lately, I’ve been asking God how to address the issues coming up in the world. After lots of prayer, I felt I was to look at examples in the New Testament for answers.

If we look at the stories in the New Testament, we see that the disciples were bold and courageous. They often went into the middle of the city to preach about Jesus in the midst of corruption and persecution from townspeople and authorities.

And the Word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:49-52

Boldness

The disciples were often chased and beaten and imprisoned. What’s extremely impressive is that both Peter and Paul were imprisoned for speaking truth, when they were released, they would go on to the next place and preach some more.

One time, Paul was beaten so badly that they thought he died. I’m pretty sure if that had happened to me I would need a little sabbatical after a long period emotional and physical recovery. However, Paul got up and went out again the very next day!

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20

The disciples preaching styles, differed. However, many times when they started preaching, they began with the history of previous events, such as God delivering them from Egypt. This was done strategically to remind the people about what God has done for them, because we so often forget! They often reminded the people that they crucified Jesus and also spoke openly about social issues.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:19-24

Social Issues

They weren’t afraid to talk about what they were seeing in society. When we walk with Jesus we will look and act differently. We will no longer look like the world does. Not only that, but we won’t be afraid to speak about Jesus or what the Word of God says.

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. Acts 4:29-30

Truth in Love

So how do we speak truth in love? When I was talking about this issue with God I felt like He was telling me to look at the ideal way I would talk to my children if they did something wrong.

For example, if I caught my daughter smoking, I wouldn’t want to hurt her, condemn her or make fun of her because I love her. I wouldn’t slander her on social media. But I would tell her that what she did was wrong, in a loving way.

Now we are dealing with adults that are not our children but our heart posture should be in this place of love. We don’t have to address every sin or issue we see. But when it starts to infiltrate our surroundings, our family and our lives it becomes necessary. Not only because it effects us, but the person sinning has fallen away from God and that hurts God. Because we are God’s ambassadors we are to stand for Him and act on His behalf. We should not be afraid to address issues we see in society. So let’s ask for boldness!

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

Unity in Christ

What’s difficult is that Christians are divided over some of the major issues we are seeing in society. This should not be the case because we have scripture to help us discern these bigger issues. When we see perversion in schools, mockery of our Lord and abortion skyrocketing, we need to say something. We need to address the issues in love but they need to be addressed. God would want us to warn people that this is not His desire for us.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14

The Armor

We are to dress fully in spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) and trust God, while putting on our gospel shoes of peace. Because the alternative is living in a world that has lost its identity and gone down a corrupted path. I don’t want to have to tell Jesus, I knew it was wrong but didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. We are to be ambassadors of Christ and in order to do that, we must represent Him. We will answer to Him in the end.

Paul said –
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

This is not a call to be passive. This is a call to be strong and stand for what was right, regardless of what people say. Sometimes those people are within your church. At first, this was devastating for me, so I spent many years doing research to better understand the scriptures because I was afraid I was being too zealous or legalistic. But legalism is adding to the scriptures, not following them. The scriptures say that we are to stand for what is right.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth… Ephesians 6:14

None Should Perish

Yes we do it in love, just like we would for someone we really care about. Because if we truly love Jesus, we don’t want any anyone to perish.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:8-10

So let us speak with courage and love about the issues at hand and let people know how much Jesus loves them. He can rescue anyone from any situation. If He can rescue a wine-drinking, pride-filled, stubborn party-girl like me, He can definitely rescue you!