9-8-2023

Good Morning All,

        2 Corinthians 5:20; “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

    P.O.A.  In this case it stands for power of attorney. It can be a very powerful condition. It means you are giving someone else the authority to act on your behalf. It might be business related or even related to your later medical care needs. You are letting someone else speak for you and it has the power of law behind it. This is almost impossible to contest or refuse. It is often used when one generation passes the business or property control over to the next generation. The person with the P.O.A. fully and legally represents the owner in all situations.  

    In our verse for today, we see where Jesus gives us his power of attorney.  We are given the authority by him to do his bidding.  He gives us the power to do his work.  He did this as he was speaking to his disciples after the resurrection and as he was ascending into heaven.  He breathed on the disciples and told them that the sins they forgive are forgiven and the sins they refuse to forgive are unforgiven.  Remember, the power to forgive sins was one of those things that the Pharisees used to accuse Jesus of blasphemy.  Yet Jesus, freely and decisively, gives this power to his Church. 

    Paul tells us that we are ambassadors.  The ambassador is given the authority to speak and act for the king.  Elsewhere, Paul calls us stewards.  Stewards were the trusted managers who ran the farm while the owner was away.  All these phrases express the same sentiment, God has empowered us to do his work until he returns.  He has entrusted us with the Gospel and the proclamation of his grace.  He has also entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation, of bringing the lost to back to God. 

   He has also entrusted us with the ministry of healing.  This is one we often miss.  How often do we look at an event and wonder “why God doesn’t do something?” The answer is that he has; he has entrusted the action to us.  When we see suffering, God empowers us to bring comfort. When we see hunger; God empowers us to bring nourishment.  We are to be the incarnation of Christ to this world.  Through us, the world sees God.  How we act and react reveals God to a world that so desperately needs him.  So, the next time you ask, “why doesn’t God do something?”  He is, by prodding your conscience.  He has given you the power and the authority to act on his behalf.  He has authorized you to represent him.  He gives us the power and the will to respond; so, do you?

Gracious Father, too often we fail as to be your ambassadors in this world.  Because of this people suffer and fail to hear your tender words of forgiveness and love.  Forgive us and embolden us to go forward in your name that we might bring reconciliation to the broken souls of this world.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret