The Ambassadors for Christ

I wonder how indeed this group started? Surely it was started by the church itself… but what was their goal? For what purpose was it made for? As my father has told me, it is an extension of the church, whose goal is to reach fellow young people with the gospel of Christ. I believe it was intended indeed to evangelize and disciple young people, being a part of the Body of Christ.

I’ve had my shares of memories with the Young People, esp. of the Loakan Baptist Church. Most of it was indeed a bunch of great memories of fun, enjoyment and laughter… Other memories have also made me know more and build my relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Surely not all things were a fun ride there were memories of conflicts, strife, and misunderstandings. But one thing I really appreciate was that we were as transparent as we were before. May not be as transparent as crystal clear, but each individual knew who we were and at times understand where each one is coming from. Most conflicts were settled, but there were also conflicts that may have lasted too long enough to be forgotten.

Having been as past officer of the group, I had the great desire to continue to share our previous experiences to the new generations of young people.  I also greatly desire to disciple them through the teaching of the Word of God. At some point, I also had my failures and perhaps my greatest failure is to share the gospel of Christ and extend the joy of having Christ to other young people of the community of Loakan. But that was a lesson I just recently greatly realized. I was many times reminded of the great commission even when I was on position of Presidency of the group, but never have I realized the impact of knowing and believing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in relation to discipling and training each individual.

I only realized this when I joined my father in his called mission. I am set to teach and train new young people of a different place. And here I’ve really realized that there is a need to plant first the seed of the gospel of Christ in someone’s heart before one could really water and take care of the seed. How indeed can one till the ground and water the ground yet no seed has been planted? It is plain vain and worthless! Far more than this, it is never one’s work in actuality for one to be saved. It’s all God’s supernatural work. Christians are only meant to be an instrument to share the gospel of Christ and it will be Holy Spirit’s work to bring someone to truly have an encounter or experience of knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and that is through Faith. Methods and plans are just but little matters to God for true Faith is brought by the working of the Holy Spirit never ours. Methods and plans are made to lure unbelievers like nets to the fishes of the sea. And once the gospel of Christ is preached then the Holy Spirit will be at work. Surety it is not 100% that all who hears and sees will believe and understand for even Christ himself says “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matt. 13:14-15). It is therefore done with much endurance and patience until one understands and be converted.

Now, why do I share these things? It is but a plain desire to teach the lessons one has learned throughout the years and that if possible, failures may not be repeated but more advancement to the work and the ministry on which God Himself has established. With new generations emerging while others fade away, it is my desire to make remembrance to the foundations of why the Ambassadors for Christ have been established. And also to challenge each one to test one’s Faith in Christ for the evil days have come and the coming of our Lord draws nearer every day! Indeed may we continue to fulfill God’s Great Commission being as one called an Ambassador for Christ!

The Carnal Christian

For quite some time, I was given an interest on this topic. For even within the Doctrines of the Baptist denominations, especially from where I am, seem to have accepted this doctrine. Before anything goes out of hand, I wish to declare that whatever I share here is not fully the stand of the church I belong, but surety I know for a fact that there are those who also agrees.

Even from the very start, the Bible doesn’t teach that whatever the pastor or the leaders teaches, is already what we stand for or believe. It maybe for a time but until one reaches a time of spiritual maturity, the only standing ground one has is the Word of God or Jesus Christ himself. Not bound by any other person or religious sect or organization. (See Acts 17:11) It doesn’t also mean that we as Christians separate from the church, but simply we as Christian should know where do we stand and for whom? For the Bible is clear to say, there is only One God, One Father, One Christ, One Spirit, One Lord and One gospel; For by which one and only reason why the church unite as one. But certainly Christ himself declares too that soon there shall be false prophets and teachers, and also proclaim there shall be other gospels, tools of the enemy to deceive mankind, that only few might come to know the only TRUTH.

Therefore let us go back in the topic of carnal Christianity. I’ve already heard two guys having disbelief on the existence of such, a Carnal Christian. And I must say, I too do not belief that such a Christian exist and if one thinks they are, I believe they may be in a sense one who has not really been saved nor have indeed acknowledged who Christ is in his / her life. But I also understand that many seem to believe they do exist and at times make themselves as examples.

I’ve searched through Google some of commentaries or articles about the matter and I’ve read that Carnal Christian is defined as being a believer of Jesus Christ yet constantly living like the World (Based from I Corinthians 3:1-4). In addition, from the previous chapter, Apostle Paul talked about the “Spiritual man” and the “Natural man”; Spiritual, describing those that have received and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; whereas, the Natural as the one who does not believe on Jesus Christ.

Now, here comes the word “Carnal” pertaining to the church of Corinth. If I may understand, Apostle Paul was rebuking them in the sense that He is questioning “Are you not like as unto those that of the world?” or in some other sense “Is that how you live as Christian?” I believe that’s what Apostle Paul was doing. And not judging that they are so called “Carnal Christian” with which we define as Christians who constantly live in the worldly life. I much prefer these Christians as so called “Christian babies” which Apostle Paul also declared unto them, “…even as unto babes in Christ.” just after the word “carnal.” 

One which I do believe is that, there is a possibility that a Christian can be still live like the world but would NOT be CONSTANTLY enjoying over what he / she is doing.  Or such a scenario can’t be prolonged by God himself. For God will bring chastisement or punishment to His children if they sin against Him, in order to bring His child back to the path of righteousness (Heb. 12:6). But if one continues to do sin and enjoys it, even with the rebukes from the Word of God, may be a big question whether one as really received and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Truthfully a spoken word is one thing, but a word accompanied by their lives is a totally different thing. Action speaks louder than words as they say. Therefore it is not enough one can say they are Christians or saved yet they continue to do sin or go against the Will of God.

If one lives as such? Be mindful and be struck for it is a dangerous thing that when we face the Lord Jesus Christ and say “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” and the Lord and Savior says “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)