Answer: God has given each member of His church the
ministry of reconciliation, (verse 18). God has committed to
us the message of reconciliation, (verse 19). We are
therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His
appeal through us, (verse 20).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and
3:4-6: "But thanks be to God, Who always
leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads
everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are
to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and
those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of
death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to
such a task?...Such confidence as this is ours through Christ
before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim
anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He
has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of
the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit
gives life."
Ephesians 6:19-20: "Pray also for
me [Paul], that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so
that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for
which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it
fearlessly, as I should."
Philippians 2:14-16: "Do everything
without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless
and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you
hold out the Word of Life--in order that I may boast on the
day of Christ that I did not run or labor for
nothing."
1 Peter 4:10-11: "Each one should use
whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone
speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very Words of God. If
anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so
that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him
be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Jude 1:3: "Dear friends, although I
was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt
I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once
for all entrusted to the saints."
