SWHW Bible Reading Plan: November 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Liz Patton:

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.”  2 Corinthians 5:16

This verse both convicts and encourages me.  I love that Paul is encouraging us to look at those around us with the eyes of Christ, not our flesh.

So when the world wants us to focus on outward appearances, worldly success, wealth, and the idea that more means better, Christ wants us to look at others with His lens of love.  Contrary to the worldly, popular belief, our greatest need isn’t for more possessions that we can acquire, but rather the beautiful love, grace, and mercy of God. 

And what’s even better is that we don’t have to earn or strive for this love.  God lavishes it on us freely because He’s THAT good: 

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

So God initiates this redemption process in us, but it’s now our responsibility to share this message with those around us as His ambassadors.

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

If you’re anything like me, that word “ambassador” sounds pretty lofty and intimidating.  But an ambassador simply represents a leader or king who is not present with him. In our case, as Christ’s ambassadors, we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

So don’t stress out thinking it means you have to be able to quote every chapter and verse of the entire plan of salvation.  Instead, think about all of the ways you get to shine His light and love in your community, your local church, your children’s schools, and sporting events, and even in the checkout line of your grocery store.

His love and grace are so life-changing, we can’t help but share them with those around us!  And to be effective ambassadors, we don’t have to recite a perfectly crafted message about the gospel; rather we get to just reflect the character of our King.  

Dear God, thank You that we get to regard those around us with the eyes of Your Son, Jesus, not with our flesh.  Thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through Christ.  Lead us and show us how we can be Your hands and feet in our communities.  Give us Your eyes to see those around us and give us opportunities to shine Your light so that others would come to know You, too.  Amen.