Read: II Corinthians 6:1-13
Think: You have probably already discovered that there are certain books, chapters, and verses in the Bible that really fire you up! I call them, “ATG’s (All Time Greats)!” Today is an ATG for me. It was the very first scripture I heard quoted the day I became a Christian. Little did I know how important, how integral, and how powerful these verses would become in setting the tone and trajectory for my entire spiritual life! (I can say that now because I have 39 years of hindsight to review!) Paul’s words to a young church—and to a young Christian—serve as a catalyst for immediate movement away from an old life toward a new life because they show you the way! II Corinthians 5:17-20 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Act: It is a simple, but action-producing practice to underline, circle, highlight, date and comment in your journal or in the margins of your Bible regarding a passage that you’ve just read. This is how you start the application process of moving a verse from your head to your heart. Today, how do these verses speak to you? Circle the words that give you courage. Underline the verses that remind you of a day when you intentionally gave more of your life to God. Write a person’s name in your journal or next to the words in your Bible, “…we plead, ‘Come back to God.’” Talk to God about expanding your role as His Ambassador of this wonderful message of reconciliation! Finally, put the initials, “ATG,” next to these and/or other verses in the margin of your Bible. Allow them to serve as a reminder of a time when God’s Word “lit up” your heart with a revived passion to serve Him, know Him better, and use you to bring others to Jesus!
Pray: Dear Jesus, I love the Word of God. It inspires me daily to live for You, tell others about You, and reconcile them to Jesus. Give me a deeper passion to serve as Your Ambassador where I work and live. Thank you for this honor. I love You, Lord.
Be full of faith today!
