Born-again believers have been given the tremendous opportunity of representing the Lord Jesus Christ and carrying out the works he did while he was on earth, and greater works.
John 14:12:
Verily, verily, I [Jesus Christ] say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Today, Jesus Christ is seated in the heavenlies at God’s own right hand, functioning as the head of the Church of the Body, as it says in Ephesians 1; but he did not leave his role on earth unattended. He delegated to born-again believers the power and authority to carry out his works, and greater, in his stead. It’s now our joy to assume this responsibility and represent him with all confidence.
One of the powerful ways we can act in Christ’s stead is by reconciling men and women back to God. II Corinthians 5 tells us about our ministry of reconciliation.
II Corinthians 5:18-20:
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
During Jesus Christ’s ministry on this earth, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Today the work of reconciling men and women to God is not the work of Christ but the work of born-again believers, who have been given the Word and the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have the joy of reconciling others to God in Christ’s stead. We do this with God’s Word and with His power.
I Thessalonians 1:5:
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
I Corinthians 2:4:
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit [spirit] and of power.
Before Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of God, he set the vision for those of us in the Church of the Body today to be witnesses unto him.
Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive [into manifestation] power, after that the Holy Ghost [holy spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The power of the gift of holy spirit gives us the ability to accomplish this vision of being witnesses unto him…unto the uttermost part of the earth. We have Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We have the potential of Christ’s heart, commitment, and ability to reach others with God’s powerful Word of deliverance.
We can lead men and women to a personal relationship with God via His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We can teach them how to become born again of God’s spirit and have eternal life (Romans 10:9,10). We can pray with people, using the powerful name of Jesus Christ to claim God’s promises (John 14:14). We can help men and women not be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14,15). We can believe for signs, miracles, and wonders (Mark 16:17,18), and more.
What a joy we’ve been afforded to represent the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth, to carry out the works he did while here, and greater. Every day we can awake with enthusiasm and excitement to take the place of the absent Christ, reconciling men and women back to God in Christ’s stead.