Christ's Ambassadors

An Expository Commentary Based upon Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Callahan

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781630870645
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

The Apostle Paul, in exercising his ineffable wisdom, draws this magnificent letter to a close in an extraordinary manner. Certainly, he could have concluded it after telling the masters and servants how to treat one another. But, no, he did not. He proceeded to challenge them to become Christ's Ambassadors and to be proficient in this high calling, despite the daily obstacles, pressures, and temptations. What does Paul boldly state after having told Christ's followers, [t]hat we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive? That they will have a life of ease, no problems or worries, and no challenges, disappointments, or hardships? No! But, he did tell them how to conduct themselves in all of life's different phases. Further, that they were to walk in love, as Christ hath also loved us, and that not everyone hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.Paul, contra to the practice today of many preachers, teachers, and church officers, knew the problems that Christ's followers faced and he boldly addressed them. He unequivocally stated that there were things appointed for them to do. Knowing these things and the difficulties encountered in following Christ, he issued a battle call to each and every follower, saying, take (up) unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Paul was forthright in describing the benefits and challenges of Walking With Jesus as well as the attitude, conduct, and conversation precluding one from entering the kingdom of Christ and God.If we are to be Christ's Ambassadors, whether it be preacher, teacher, church officer, or professing Christian, we are to know our duties and carry them out resolutely. What are they? They include, but are not limited to: discharging their duties honorably; being loyal subjects; following instructions; knowing the Word; and obeying Christ's commands. May we, along with Paul, pray the following with humility and sincerity: For which I am an ambassador... that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak as one of His ambassadors

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Assurance, Change and Opposition

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places [Eph. 6:10–12].

The facts and events in the life of Christ have an impact upon the people hearing about them, just as they did on the people witnessing them. An individual’s perception or interpretation of the Master’s teachings, activities, and practices is affected by many factors, including mindset, receptivity, peer pressure, and knowledge. This is true whether or not there is complete acceptance, complete rejection, or something in-between, or because there is real faith and trust or the absence of it, or various combinations of the different factors.

When Christ is ignored or merely acknowledged as having lived, He still has an effect on people, upon individuals. When people come to hear about Him or to learn more about Him, He has an effect. When individuals come to know Him, He has a significant, positive impact upon their lives. When He dominates a person’s life, His Word grows within them producing fruit, much fruit.

This impact can produce several things in people. It can bring about assurance, change, or opposition. These elements can be seen in the Apostle John’s description of the developments occurring immediately after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Scripture reveals, he hath been dead four days, when Jesus arrived.

What happened after Lazarus came forth? What would you expect to happen? Scripture contains two different responses. First, many of the Jews who were there and saw what happened believed on Him. However, there were others who apparently did not, or they were afraid, or they had some vested interest, because they left and went to the Pharisees.

Christ performed this great miracle, but not all who witnessed it believed. The word believe in this instance means “to trust” and “to have confidence.” “Miracles may produce vastly different results. They can prepare a person for faith, or they can confirm it,” as Calvin notes.

On the other hand, there are those who reject the evidence with hearts as hard as stone. Ungodliness infects and corrupts the works of God. Consequently, the hearts of some who were present when Lazarus came forth from the grave turned against Christ and went to the Pharisees. Changes were brought about among the witnesses, the leaders, and observers. Many believed; some did not.

It is difficult to imagine people being present when Jesus performed this miracle and not believing in Him, not accepting Him, not admiring and praising Him. However, there are those who reject or ignore what Christ has done, who are opposed to His practices. “Unbelief is always proud and a despiser of God; but, it does not always breakout into open conflict with God,” according to John Calvin’s insightfulness regarding those who reject the Triune God.

It is interesting concerning the people who went to the Pharisees. They told them what Jesus had done; they did not deny it, but affirmed it. Yet they knew that the Pharisees were opposed to Christ and wanted to kill Him. Why did they want to stir up more opposition and hatred? Possibly to ingratiate themselves with the authorities or to receive favors from the clergy of that day. Or, they did not want people following Christ.

Remember what happened after Jesus fed the five thousand. They followed Him to Capernaum. Why? Jesus provides the answer saying, Not because ye saw the miracles (signs), but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled [John 6:26]. Then Jesus proceeded to tell them what they must do: they must partake of what He has to offer, namely Himself, His teachings, and His obedience to the Father. What happened to the large group that followed him to Capernaum? From that time many of his disciples went back (away), and walked no more with him [John 6:66]. Why? There may have been many reasons, but basically they were interested in themselves, what they were doing, and their relationships to other people or groups; they wanted to continue to see miracles and to receive material blessings and tangible rewards; they did not accept Him as the Messiah, the Son of God; and something kept coming between themselves and God, namely self.

When the Pharisees heard how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the reports of many other witnesses, what did they do? They concerned themselves with how they could oppose Him, how they could take additional action against Him, and how they might get rid of Him!

They thought if they opposed Him they could block His path, prevent people from following Him, send Him into oblivion, and not hear of Him anymore, and then He would never bother them again. People through the ages have done the same thing. They tell the authorities what He is doing and that they oppose Him. The same thing is happening in the twenty-first century, but it does not work.

What concerned the Pharisees and the high priests was that Jesus would continue doing miracles. Further, if they left Him alone, others would believe on Him and follow Him. As a result, the Romans would come and destroy the temple and the nation. If these things happened, the Pharisees’ status quo would be upset, and conditions would change. Therefore, Caiaphas made both a judgment and a prophesy at one and the same time. He did not intend to do so, but he did because of the Holy Spirit.

Caiaphas thought it would be expedient to get rid of Jesus. Therefore, he uttered these prophetic words, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not [John 11:45–50].

Further, Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad [John 11:51–52]. Caiaphas did not intend to prophesy. He wanted to render a judgment. He wanted to preserve the position of the scribes and Pharisees. He wanted to eliminate any opposition.

However, God used Caiaphas. These verses show that our salvation is accomplished by bringing the scattered sheep together into one flock. The people of God are gathered together into the body of Christ.

God foreordained that one man will die for those people, that they shall not perish. It is through that one person that the sinners, the alienated, dispersed, and scattered are brought together and made one as members of Christ’s body. This prophesy of Caiaphas’s should remind us That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him [Eph. 1:10]. Then, as Scripture says, . . . all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death [Matt. 27:1].

We see in John’s Gospel assurance, change, and opposition. Yet, we should see something having a greater impact and effect: the hand of God working, and God using both followers and opponents to achieve His purposes. Yes, we love to hear about what Jesus did during His earthly ministry. Yes, we want to believe. We are like the father who brought the child with the dumb spirit to Jesus [Mark 9:17–26]. The father said to Jesus with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief [Mark 9:24].

But there is something more that we seek, and it is important. We seek assurance, but do we really want it? These words and this thought are important. Do we really want assurance? Consider the question, do we want the assurance that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and that through Him we receive salvation and life eternal [2 Pet. 1:1–11]? Remember, the same Word that offers us pardon calls us to repentance and obedience.

It is well to ask, what happens when we receive assurance? There will be a change. We will seek to learn and to know the truth as it is revealed in the Lord Jesus. We will seek to stop, look, listen, and obey His commandments. We will seek to worship and to serve Him.

Then there is the matter of opposition. People will be opposed to what we do or do not do. There will be opposition to the teachings of the Master and to expounding upon them. Further, we will encounter opposition within ourselves. We will want to do things that we did not do in the past, and we will refrain from doing things we used to do.

Assurance is a two-edged sword. Therefore, ponder it carefully before accepting it, believing it, and committing oneself to it. Consider other portions of Scripture,

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance [2 Thess. 1:5].

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead [Acts 17:31].

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• The Question of Authorship
• Introduction
• 1. Assurance, Change and Opposition
• 2. Believing and Rejoicing in Assurance
• 3. Quench Not the Spirit
• 4. Whence Knowest Thou Me?
• 5. Self
• 6. Things Appointed
• 7. The Battle Call
• 8. A Divine Visit
• 9. Discipline: What God Requires
• 10. Responding in Faith
• 11. Gird Your Loins
• 12. The Girdle of Truth
• 13. The Righteousness of God
• 14. Christ’s Righteousness
• 15. Stand and Go Forth
• 16. Choices, Decisions, Priorities
• 17. Shield of Faith
• 18. The Helmet of Salvation
• 19. The Sword of the Spirit
• 20. Stand Therefore—Praying Always
• 21. Hearing, Obeying, Persevering
• 22. Ambassadors of Christ
• Bibliography
• Outline Questions