“Now then 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” (2 Cor. 5:20).
Such a glorious message as reconciliation must at all cost be taken without haste to the unsaved masses. This is precisely what God did when He commissioned us as ambassadors for Christ. I read some time ago that in the Roman empire there were two types of provinces— senatorial and imperial. The senatorial provinces were peaceful for the most part, and never caused Rome any problem. This could not be said of the imperial ones, for they were dangerous and frequently rebelled against the empire. It was to the imperial provinces that Rome sent ambassadors to help ease tension and announce the emperor’s objectives. They were some of the first diplomats in the truest sense of the term.
In the present evil age in which we live, the world is an imperial province that has nothing but contempt for God. In the midst of this tumult, God has sent in His ambassadors to offer amnesty the world’s weary warriors of rebellion.
What an honor it would be to be chosen by the President of the United States to serve our country as an ambassador in a foreign land. Every ambassador seems to have three outstanding characteristics. First, they always look presentable. Secondly, they are dignified, and finally, they are well informed as to the goals of the commander in chief. If this is true in the affairs of men, how much more so as we represent Christ in His absence. Many in the world are dull of hearing and therefore need to hear again that God loves them and has reconciled them unto Himself. Unlike the Great Commission given to Israel, our commission does not concern nations, but individuals within the nations. Begin by committing the word of reconciliation to your loved ones, and remember that the mission field extends into foreign lands as well.
What has happened to the missionary zeal that was cradled in our country? The fires have seemingly gone out except for a few flickering embers that yet glow. Pray that God will ignite a fire in our hearts for lost souls in other lands. Permit me to say that far too often our Grace Missionaries struggle on meager salaries that would probably be below the poverty level in this country. They have left family and friends and the security of our homeland to preach Christ to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. The very least we can do is to encourage them with our financial support and pray without ceasing for their needs. I suppose the polar caps would melt before the denominational churches of North America would come to their assistance, for reasons that are obvious. We must rise to the occasion on their behalf before the doors of third-world countries are completely closed.
A Herculean task lies before us to spread the word of reconciliation. And may it ever be before us that “…if one died for all, then were all dead.” Can it be truthfully said that all who have been born of the woman are born in sin and therefore spiritually dead? Then as the apostle says, Christ died for all without exception (2 Cor. 5:14,15). Yes, Christ died for you! “Now is the accepted time, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” How many would you say have died in the last 24 hours around the world? Tomorrow death may tap you on the shoulder and say, “Your hour has come.” Time is of the essence; to receive God’s wonderful offer of reconciliation, simply believe that Christ died for your sins personally and rose again the third day for your justification. Do it today, eternity awaits.
— An Excerpt from Exploring the Unsearchable Riches of Christ.
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.