Jesus indicates that the way to think about self-denial is to deny yourself only a lesser good for a greater good… In other words, Jesus wants us to think about sacrifice in a way that rules our all self-pity. This is, in fact, just what the texts on self-denial teach (Mk. 8:34-35)… Saint Augustine captured the paradox in these words, “If you love your soul, there is a danger of its being destroyed. Therefore you may not love it, since you do not want it to be destroyed. But in not wanting it to be destroyed you love it.”
John Piper

Commissioned Ambassadors

Commissioned Ambassadors COMMISSIONED AMBASSADORS

We believe that God has given us as a local church and as individual believers a commission as His ambassadors to present God’s terms of peace to people who have been at enmity with Him.

The apostle Paul wrote, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (II Corinthians 5:19-20 NIV)

God could have written His message in the sky. He could have sent angels to tell every human being on the planet. Instead, He chose to entrust the telling of His message to the people who had themselves believed it and had begun to receive its benefits.

When we talk with folks, or send out books or tapes or print articles, it is not simply as motivated individuals or an active organization seeking publicity.

It is God Himself appealing to people through us, appealing even TO YOU, to be reconciled to God on the only terms He will accept, on the basis of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, who now lives to be your Savior and Lord.

Read the New Testament for yourself. In the Gospels, you will find out more about the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Letters, you will read about what His life, death and resurrection mean and how it applies to your own life. God appeals to you through us: Put your trust in Jesus. [Clyde Price, Arrows2]