2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God. 1. The dignity of an ambassador is measured — (1) By the grandeur of the power he represents. Compare a minister from Paraguay with one from Prussia. The former may have more personal wealth and dignity of character than the latter; but how difficult their official dignity! The apostle's official exaltation was the very loftiest in the world. (2) By the grandeur of the State to which he is sent. An ambassador to Russia is a greater personage than one to Liberia. Now; Paul was sent, not to one State or kingdom, but to the world. (3) By the subjects about which they are commissioned to treat. Compare the Treaty of Ghent with the settlement of the "Alabama Claims." The object of the apostle's mission was not to make peace between contending nations, not to adjust spoliation claims, but to restore a world of rebels to their prime allegiance, and to wrest from hell its illgotten spoils. 2. The apostle says, "We are ambassadors for Christ." 3. Behold here an evidence that God delighteth not in the death of the sinner. Not content to commission a body of men simply to announce, He condescends to plead through them (Ezekiel 18:23-32; Isaiah 1:18; 2 Peter 3:9). I. LET US ANALYSE THIS WONDERFUL DIVINE SOLICITATION. It assumes — 1. A state of alienation from God on your part and offence on His. 2. That God has been propitiated. 3. That without the sinner's own consent the interposition made by Christ can be of no avail. II. HOW IS MAN'S AVERSION TO RECONCILIATION TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR? 1. While conscious of sin, they are really unconscious of peril. When danger is realised no man is indifferent. Hence the necessity for preaching about law and hell. 2. Sinners love their sin. Sin has its pleasures. You see no pleasure in holiness. Admit that the life of the sinner reconciled is a gloomy journey, nothing to compensate him for the life of revelry that he is to abandon. Is it not better to experience temporary unhappiness for the sake of immortal bliss? Now God, who knows the unsatisfying nature of sinful pleasures, beseeches you by us, "Be reconciled to God." (J. W. Pratt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. |
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