J.A. Matteson
Faithful ambassadors neither add to nor subtract from the message entrusted to them. Ambassadors of state often put their necks on the line when recipients of the message are hostile to it. Ambassadors often suffer the brunt of rejection on behalf of the sovereign they represent. "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10). Pluralism and secularism are not friendly toward ambassadors of Jesus Christ. For ambassadors deliver a message of propositional truth, a divine ultimatum of an impending day of judgment for sin. The message of Christ's ambassadors is both dire and hopeful. It is unconcerned with bolstering self esteem; rather, it obliterates it. It is not mindful of political correctness; to the contrary, its fidelity to truth is antithetical to the whims of cultural acceptance. Indeed, the foreign origin of the cross is so repugnant to sinners that its acceptance is soley dependant upon grace. Blessed are those who believe the gospel, for they are the true children of Abraham according to the promise, displaying the righteousness of God, that imputed by faith. Therefore, let the ambassadors of Christ deliver the pure message of the cross without alteration. For it is His message, empowered by the Spirit that saves, and it is not dependant on the eloquence of the messenger. To the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).