So, if we are to be ambassadors for Christ, urging those around us to be reconciled to God (5:20), how can we do our job more effectively? Of course we can study the Scriptures, learning more about the message we need to deliver: that Christ died for all who trust in Him (5:14-15), taking on our sin so that we might have His righteousness (5:21).

But just knowing the correct doctrine and just telling people about their need to repent and be saved (6:2) is not enough. For let’s face it: the internet is filled with winsome, accurate presentations of the gospel message; they’re even being broadcast in Arabic into Islamic countries where it’s illegal to have a Bible! So, why doesn’t everyone who hears the good news of Jesus go on to believe it?

One reason could be that many of us who say we believe the gospel don’t seem to think it’s very important. After all, Paul was willing to suffer all kinds of afflictions and hardships (detailed in 6:4-10) in order to tell people the good news of Jesus. But will we even run the risk of being thought strange or fanatical for sharing our faith with our friends? Will we give up even a little of our money so that others may plant churches among the lost? And if we’re not willing to make these admittedly small sacrifices, why should anyone listen to what we have to say about Jesus?

Of course, there’s another problem all too many Christians have: preaching the need for repentance and holiness while refusing to put our words into practice. But as Paul makes clear, light and darkness have nothing to do with each other (v. 14). Instead, because the Holy Spirit is living within all believers, bringing any idols into our lives is defiling the very Temple of God (v. 16).

So whenever we compromise with sin, we not only bring the gospel into disrepute. We also show the worst sort of ingratitude to the God Who has taken our sin upon Himself so that we might become righteous (5:21), so that we might abandon our sin and live only for His glory (5:15).

So today, will we take the risk of sharing the gospel in word and deed? Will we show the truth of the gospel as we seek to live holy lives? And in these ways, will we truly try to be ambassadors for Christ?

II Corinthians 6:1-7:1 (NASB)

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain–
2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you”; behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation “–
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange– I speak as to children– open wide to us also.
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.