For the full story, you can read Daniel's blog, but we can't take a coffee break from the missio dei (mission of God). There is no retirement, no going on vacation, and no exception for tattoo day. "We are ambassadors for Christ as though God were making an appeal through us." Everywhere the believer goes, he bears the name of Jesus. When an American ambassador enters another country, he goes representing America. But not only is he representing America, he represents America. While on the one hand, he is there to speak for America, he is also a representation of who America is. If someone were to watch him for a day this person may understand better what it looks like to be American. Therefore, when the ambassador takes a coffee break or goes home for the night, he is still watched, still observed, still studied.
Christians too often want to speak for God, but are so rarely willing to adequately represent Him. If we are to tell the lost of God's love, mercy, hope, and truth, should we not also live this out when people are watching, observing, and studying us outside of our jobs or ministries?
Daniel, AnneMarie, and I went to get tattoos on Friday. Upon arriving at the tattoo studio, we discovered that Steve, our artist, could not make it in. His five-year-old daughter, Violet, had become sick at school and needed to be cared for. Timidly, almost anticipating trouble, the receptionist, Kelly, asked if it would be ok for us to reschedule. Little did we know, but another tattoo artist, Lacie, was listening and observing our conversation. Daniel and I graciously thanked Kelly for her time and happily rescheduled our appointment for two weeks later. As we were leaving, Lacie noted her surprise to our reaction as this was atypical behavior.
We returned to Raleigh that night to hang out with some friends and watch a dueling piano show. At some point on the way into Raleigh, the Holy Spirit pricked Daniel's heart. In response to this we found ourselves outside the tattoo studio again, the three of us, with a stuffed frog holding a get well card between its magnetic hands with the words "you're special" on them. Walking into the studio ten minutes before closing, we found Steve lamenting to Kelly about how he had missed us earlier in the day. At the sight of our trio and the ensuing explanation concerning how we cared about and had been praying for little Violet, he welled up with tears. This act of love spoke volumes to him.
Steve insisted we stay after closing so he could ink us up. For the next hour and a half Daniel had the opportunity to tell Steve about how his tattoo encouraged him to pray and keep a good attitude and I had the opportunity to talk about how the Greek words for "Jesus is Lord" had impacted my life. The conversation remained on spiritual things all night as we listened, taught, encouraged, and loved on Steve. At the end, we prayed for him, his daughter, and that his relationship with her would model God's for His children. The night ended with a round of bear hugs as emotions flied high on all sides.
Yes, Paul does challenge believers in II Corinthians 5:20 to be "ambassadors for Christ." He does challenge us to urgently beg men, on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. We play a vital role as vessels through whom God speaks words of truth. But this only comes after people see the life transformation that has already occurred in us. Just a few verses before, Paul writes "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
What right do we have to speak love, truth, and grace into someone's life if they have not seen the new things born into our lives through Christ's reconciling work?
Live the truth.
Speak the truth.
"kurios Iasous" - Greek for "Jesus is Lord" or, very literally translated "Lord Jesus". This phrase is used in Rom 10:9 to signify the words that come out of one's mouth at regeneration in partnership with a belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. The word order is significant insofar as what may seem to be the misplaced word "Lord" in English is moved to the front to add greater emphasis. Typically in an equalitative statement like this where nouns are nominative (both act as a subject) a proper noun such as Jesus would take priority to go first in the text. Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe. This is a truth statement. But the emphasis on the word "Lord" brings to light the place He holds now in the new believer's life. I Peter 3:15 says "sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord of your hearts..."
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