Representative

<<agent>>

A representative should have a good understanding of the person or organisation they represent, what their goals, expectations and standards are, besides what is expected of them. The focus is not on the agent, they are merely the delegated ambassador of another to carry out their wishes.

As Christians we are ambassadors representing God on this earth, and so should live by the principles of His Kingdom, seeing those in need as our neighbour and, as appropriate, endeavouring to meet that need, doing to them as we would like done to us (Lk 6:31, 10:30-37; 2 Cor 5:20). It’s not about us – we are just the postman delivering the mail!

As the great High priest, interceding on our behalf, Jesus represents us before God. He is the mediator between God and man – the one who enables us to reconnect (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 4:14-16, 8:1).

Jesus was the exact representation of the heavenly Father, revealing His nature to humanity, in turn we represent Jesus to the lost (Mt 5:13-16, 25:35-45). We should be an accurate representation of Jesus, with our lives

When people look at me, do they see Christ?

patterned after His (Jn 14:9; Eph 4:1,2; Heb 1:3). We are to be like Christ, not our previous master the devil. Are we doing it in a way that makes the unsaved want to know Him too? Am I growing in my likeness to Christ and so more accurately portraying His love, care and spiritual concern for others (Rom 8:29)?

The secret of Jesus ministry was His relationship with the Father and the Spirit which He had without measure (Jn 3:34). The Holy Spirit reveals the heart of the Father to and through us (Jn 16:12-15). He is our example of how to live in relationship to God and how to translate that into ministry by bringing heaven’s riches to earth. “As the Father sent me, I am sending you” – this is made possible by the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:21,22).

Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). We are to follow in the steps of Christ who did not live by the standards of this world, but instead revealed the nature of God and how we as believers should aspire to live (1 Pet 2:21-23). “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went about doing good and healing all those under the power of the devil, because God was with Him” (Act 10:38). Jesus declared, “The works that I do you will do also; and even greater works than these will you do” (Jn 14:12). Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Mt 28:18-20). He gives us the right to use His name to bring release to those in spiritual bondage and minister healing to the sick (Mk 16:17,18). What an incentive to press into God, to live a holy life and obey the Spirit’s leading.