Priorities: Ambassadors For Christ Or Hopeless Sinners?
He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.
Luke 8:1-2 (NKJV)
They say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a Friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Matthew 11:19 (NKJV)
Jesus did not walk away from sinners. Instead, He walked directly toward them.
Consider two clearly hopeless sinners:
Mary Magdalene, 7-demons-down– avoided as undeliverable.
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector– loathed as a Roman collaborator. *
Both became hope-filled disciples:
She, His #1 female follower: the first to see the resurrected Christ…
And he, who received Jesus 'joyfully.' Zacchaeus said: 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold' (Luke 19:6, 8).
In lining up His target audience, remember our Leader’s priority: 'I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance' (Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31).
Ironically, in the Book of John,** Jesus Himself is labeled a sinner! Surely, sinners have status in God’s Eyes!***
Consider the business of media. We're dumbstruck by a head-on collision with in-your-face sins, including pride, lust, idolatry, vanity, violence, and supernatural fascination.
Big mouths speak big words among big spotlights.
Big stars cast big shadows on small children.
We're surrounded by exasperating examples and disrespecting divas.
Shall we turn away from their tragic scenes, or shall we turn the other cheek to them?
Shall we hate or love, disdain or embrace, speak harshly or lead gently--by kindness?
Christ’s top priority is now embraced by actors, models, and talent for Christ. His Order is called the Great Commission!
With a fantastic speed of delivery, the enemy’s devices (media) are now employed by God (mediation). The end result?
RECONCILIATION!
Jesus… 'Gave us the ministry of reconciliation... not counting people's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us' (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
'And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature' ' (Mark 16:15).
But… 'How will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!' ' (Romans 10:14-15).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: In this age, you bring Good News of good things.
Therefore, keep your tap shoes on and ready! But focus your stomps on just one sinner… namely, the devil.
What about Earth’s misbehaving actors? Step lightly and keep walking toward them.
Priorities: Priorities: Ambassadors For Christ Or Hopeless Sinners? (Part 6)
* The story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:1-10&version=NKJV
** https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John9:16-24&version=NKJV
*** Without a doubt, every human on earth, including “religious” people, including Spirit-filled Christians, still sin. Only those with blinding pride can consider themselves above anyone.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.