Representing Jesus 代表耶稣

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Dexu Xia

unread,

Oct 4, 2025, 12:20:26 AM10/4/25

to dmcf_dailybread

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Today's Scripture 2 Corinthians 5: 9--20

Today's Insights Paul says that the goal for believers in Jesus should be “to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). As we share the gospel with others, how we live and love identifies true believers. The pattern Christ established with the twelve disciples is also valid for today. Before witnessing for Him through their words and actions, they looked, listened, and learned from Him. Of two of the twelve it was said, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Those who represent Christ best are those who’ve been drawn to Him, forgiven by Him, and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to His love and grace.

Today's Devotional

On the first day of a camp where Alan teaches teens entrepreneurial skills, a student said, “You’re a Christian, aren’t you? I can tell.” Before Alan said he was a Christian or wore his favorite socks and ties decorated with Christian symbols, the teen said he saw Jesus through Alan’s words, actions, and attitude. They discussed how they could better represent Jesus wherever they go.

Saying we’re Christian and wearing clothes with Christian messages are good things. However, the Bible teaches that the way we live and love as we share the gospel is the true identifier of those who follow Jesus. The apostle Paul and the other believers in Corinth were compelled, or driven, to please God by living with an eternal perspective while sharing Him with others (2 Corinthians 5:9-14).

When we’re committed to living for Christ instead of for ourselves, the Holy Spirit changes our perspective, character, priorities, and ways of interacting with others (vv. 15-17). Our new life in Jesus is intended to represent Him while we point others to Him, “as though God were making his appeal through us” (v. 20).

Empowered by the Spirit, we’re given the joy and responsibility of representing Christ wherever we go.

Reflect & Pray

How have others pointed you to Jesus by the way they lived? How has God’s transforming work in your life helped you become a better ambassador for Christ?

Life-transforming Jesus, please change me by Your Spirit so that I can better represent You wherever You send me.

By Xochitl Dixon

“所以，我们作基督的使者，就好像上帝借着我们劝你们一般，我们替基督求你们与上帝和好。”（哥林多后书 5:20）

今日经文：哥林多后书 5:章 9-20 节

今日洞见：保罗说，信耶稣的人的目标应该是“讨主喜悦”（哥林多后书 5:9）。当我们与他人分享福音时，我们如何生活和爱，就能辨别出真正的信徒。基督与十二门徒所立的榜样也适用于今天。在用他们的言行见证祂之前，他们先观察、聆听并学习祂。圣经论到十二门徒中的两位时说：“他们见彼得、约翰的胆量，又看出他们原是没有学问的小民，就希奇，认明他们是跟过耶稣的”（使徒行传 4:13）。最能代表基督的人，是那些被祂吸引、蒙祂赦免，并被圣灵赋予力量，为祂的爱和恩典作见证的人。

今日灵修：在艾伦教授青少年创业技能的夏令营第一天，一位学生说道：“你是基督徒，对吧？我看得出来。”在艾伦说自己是基督徒，或穿上他最喜欢的饰有基督教标志的袜子和领带之前，这位青少年说他通过艾伦的言行举止和态度看到了耶稣。他们讨论了如何才能更好地在任何地方代表耶稣。

说自己是基督徒，穿着带有基督教信息的衣服，这都是好事。然而，圣经教导我们，我们在分享福音时的生活和爱，才是跟随耶稣的人的真正身份。使徒保罗和哥林多的其他信徒被驱使，或者说被驱使着，以永恒的视角生活，并与他人分享基督，来取悦上帝（哥林多后书 5:9-14）。

当我们致力于为基督而不是为自己而活时，圣灵会改变我们的视角、品格、优先次序以及与他人互动的方式（15-17 节）。我们在耶稣里的新生命，是为了在带领别人归向祂的同时彰显基督，“就好像神藉我们劝勉我们一样”（20节）。圣灵充满我们，把喜乐和责任给我们，这样，无论我们身处何方，都能代表基督。

反思与祷告别人如何通过他们的生活方式引领你归向耶稣？神在你生命中改变你的工作，如何帮助你成为更好的基督使者？

改变生命的耶稣，请用你的灵改变我，使我无论被差遣到哪里，都能更好地代表你。