“19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; (Matthew 28:19–20a) [AMP]
Because you are a Christian …
- … you are on a special mission.
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21)
Your response: Here am I Lord, send me!
- … you should live and look differently.
“14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)
Your response: No grumbling!
“16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17)
Your response: Stand out!
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:2) [MSG]
Your response: Hold firm!
“… so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:15)
“As you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:16) [NIV]
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27) [NIV]
- … you are an ambassador of Christ.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Your response: Represent Christ well.