“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV)
Man was created as a king and was crowned with glory and honor to rule over the kingdom of this earth. The Scripture testifies, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” (Psa. 115:16 NKJV).
But through the disobedience of Adam, man lost the kingdom, dominion, or government of the earth to his enemy, Satan. Consequently, Satan became “the god of this world,” controlling, dominating, and influencing human kingdoms, governments, systems, and rulers.
While tempting the Lord Jesus in the wilderness, Satan boasted to Him, saying, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” (Luke 4:6 NKJV).
All the unregenerate people and their activities are under the dominion, control, and influence of the evil one, Satan. Apostle John clearly states, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one. “(1 John 5:19 RSV).
That is why the unbelievers express, manifest, and demonstrate the nature of Satan–deception, hatred, pride, wickedness, unrighteousness, unforgiveness, bitterness, and such things.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to restore the fallen man to a loving and intimate relationship with God and his original exalted position of authority. How did He do it?
By His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins!
The death of Christ has completely and eternally abolished the enmity between the Holy God and sinful men. We have been fully reconciled to God through the death of Jesus Christ. Sin can no longer separate us from God (2 Cor. 5:18-19, Eph. 2:13-16, Col. 1:21-22).
Through the New Birth experience, believers have been united with Christ in His death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation (Rom. 6:3-5).
Paul reveals this truth in his epistle to believers at Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:4-6 – NKJV
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, as believers in Christ, we are now “kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:10 NKJV). God has invested believers with Christ’s power and authority to reign and decree justice on earth. Sadly, not many believers today operate as kings or rulers on earth!
According to God’s revelation of His eternal plan and purpose to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, God will set up His Kingdom on earth (Dan. 2:29-49). At that time, God will bring this world’s kingdoms, governments, systems, and rulers to an abrupt and absolute end.
Paul writes, “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Cor. 15:24 NKJV).
Then it shall be declared that “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15 NKJV).
While the Kingdom of God has yet to be physically established on earth, Scripture teaches that the spiritual Kingdom of God is already here in its full glory and power.
Where is it situated?
Within every true believer!
The Lord Jesus said, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21 KJV).
The Kingdom of God, which will eventually break and crush in pieces, overthrow, and swallow up every other kingdom of this world, is present within you as a believer.
What an unlimited divine power and glory you have within you!
As a believer, God now dwells and reigns in you in His full power and glory (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 2 Cor. 6:16). You are now a citizen and ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is infinitely greater and superior to every kingdom of this world.
Paul states, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philip. 3:20 NKJV).
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20 NKJV).
The Kingdom of Heaven does not resemble any kingdom of this world in nature, values, principles, and operations. Therefore, believers are expected to be completely different in their lifestyle, character, values, pursuits, or passions from the unbelievers who belong to the kingdom of this world.
The Lord Jesus states, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36 NKJV).
It is an aberration and rebellion for you as an ambassador for Christ belonging to God’s Kingdom to condescend to the lifestyle of the unbelievers, passionately chasing after the transient things of this world, gratifying the cravings of the flesh, and living only for your pleasures and the present time as the unbelievers do.
The Lord Jesus commands His followers not to seek after the things the unbelievers seek after.
Beloved, as a citizen and ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, you are not supposed to be chasing after the fleeting things of this life as the children of the kingdom of this world do, but rather to be seeking and laboring for the growth and expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth (Matt. 6:31-34).
Therefore, arise today to live for God’s purpose and pleasure as a good ambassador for Christ and His Kingdom in this present anti-Christ world.
Let your speech, character, conduct, attitude, or disposition to the fleeting things of this world clearly show to the children of this world that you are not of this world but rather a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Apostle Paul admonishes us to shine as lights in the world.
Philippians 2:14-15 – NKJV
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and strengthen me daily to think, speak, and live as a true citizen and ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, in Jesus’ name. Amen.