Are we being good Ambassadors?

One of my favorite statements from God's Word is; "at just the right time . . ."   

• 2 Corinthians 6:2 says; "For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you."
• Romans 5:6 says; "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."
• Galatians 4:4 says; "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born . . . "

These are some of my "go to" verses when I'm waiting - I truly believe that at just the right time God acts - He answers prayers, He provides, He speaks, He opens our eyes and our heart. He even gives me a devotional quiet time reading that I need for that specific day . . . like today!

Interesting passage today: Matthew 17: 24-27

Some tax collectors approached Peter and asked, "Does your teacher pay Temple tax?" Peter - with haste answers, "Yes, he does." Jesus, of course, used this as a teaching opportunity !

Jesus: "Peter does the king tax; his own people, or those he conquers?

Peter: "those he conquers".

Jesus: "then citizens are free!"

Of course a king would not tax his family - and Jesus, well, He is the King of kings and owes nothing! But, Jesus goes on to tell Peter that they don't want to "offend them", so tells Peter to go fishing. He tells him that the first fish he catches will have a coin in its mouth. Jesus told Peter to use it to pay taxes for both of them.

A couple of things stood out to me as I read the commentary on this passage:

1. Jesus had the solution. He was supplying the resources, but - He had Peter go and get it. "Ultimately all that we have comes to us from God's supply, but He may want us to be active in the process." Being a Christ follower is a hands-on experience. We aren't to just sit back and watch, we are to be actively involved!
2. Earth is not our permanent home, but Jesus shows that we still need to be responsible citizens and cooperate with the authorities.

Corinthians 5:20 says: "So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

Just as an Ambassador to another country keeps the local laws in order to represent the one who sent him - so must we! We are to be upstanding citizens, doing what is right because - when we say we are a Christ - follower, a Christian, that means we represent Christ! It's our job to shine a positive light on HIM!

Today, as I was having a moment - one of those when Satan creeps in your thoughts and you react before you realize it. One of those moments when my attitude was anything but shining a positive light on Jesus! In that moment, God reminded me of my Bible reading for today and I was convicted by the question asked by the commentary writers . . . "Are we being good foreign ambassadors for Him to this world?" Am I being a good ambassador for Christ?!

I wonder how different my testimony would be if I, as a Christian, was better at encouraging than complaining?

I wonder how different my testimony would be if I did everything for Jesus and let go of any selfish motives?

I wonder how different my friends, acquaintances, and family would be if I stood on the balcony cheering them on, instead of hiding in the basement dragging them down.

Being a positive ambassador is a choice, a challenge, and one I accept!