Whispers of Expressing

His Life ⁽¹⁾

by Ray and Doris Prinzing

Chapter 15

 LIVING AMBASSADORS -

IN HIS STEAD

"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." [2 Corinthians 5:18-20].

                                        Reconciled to reconcile, blessed to be a blesser,
                                        Christ within the Greater, we in Him the lesser.
                                        For He hath committed into us a message
                                        Of reconciliation, precious truth for this age.

             The prerequisite is clearly stated, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new  creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." [2 Corinthians 5:17]. Not until we are totally A NEW CREATURE will we have the fulness of the message which we are to share, for it is out of our STATE OF BEING that we are to declare Him. But the process is on, old things are passing away ― as Paul states in another place, "I die daily." The cross is being applied to the last vestiges of the self-life, until we are totally surrendered to Him, and made NEW IN HIM. We are being immersed into Him. He is that fulness "that filleth all in all." [Ephesians 1:23].
            "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." [1 Corinthians 13:9-10]. There is a rejoicing IN and FOR every part which we have received of Him, and there is a following on to know Him more, until that which is perfect is come. In the measure we have Him now, we would express Him, and then remain yielded to Him that He might continue to fill us with Himself. It is BY HIS FAITH that we live even now. Furthermore, Paul says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God." [Galatians 2:21]. This word "frustrate" comes from a Greek word that means: to think down, to despise, to belittle. We will not belittle what we have received, we would rejoice in this grace, acknowledge that we have received of Him, and then go on toward that more perfect day.
            So indeed, old things are passing, new things are becoming, and it will climax with the experiential reality of ― "as He is, so are we in this world." [1 John 4:17].
            The marvellous reality of this will be found in a STATE OF BEING. We will not have to go about "telling people" that we are "as He is," for all that we are in being will be that living declaration. Nevertheless, even now, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another:   and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." [1 John 1:7]. There is a WALKING IN THE LIGHT, and this progressive walk is accompanied with a progressive cleansing ― for the Greek tense of the word is that His blood "keeps on cleansing" us from all sin. And we are "confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6].
            "Not yet has it been made visible what we shall be. We know absolutely that whenever it is made visible, like ones to Him we shall be, because we shall see Him Just as He is." [1 John 3:2, Wuest Expanded].           
            LIKE ONES TO HIM ― as He is ― statements like this are overwhelming, and stagger the imagination to comprehend the true scope of their meaning. But, John writes on, (verse 3), "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." Daily surrender, daily seeking for that on-going, cleansing, daily WALKING with Him, and thus there is a continual changing from glory to glory, as He works His transformations within. He shall have His sons in whom He is well pleased. They shall be kings and priests, to rule (shepherd) all nations. They shall, IN HIS STEAD, beseech men to be reconciled to God. This hope shall become a reality in His time.
            But before we pursue any more thoughts on what we "become" in Him, we must again lift up the Christ, knowing that IN ALL He must have preeminence. It is the fraility of our own humanity, with its ego, pride, etc. that cause us to need to continually keep Him ever before us, for HE is the Foremost. The entire plan which is being wrought out through the ages, Paul tells us, is "According to a plan of the ages which He made in the anointed Jesus our Lord." [Ephesians 3:11, Rotherham]. There is not a fragment of this purpose which is not centered in Jesus Christ. HE is both the Centre and the Circumference. That is why we seek to exalt Him!
            Yet it is also true, that to fully PREACH CHRIST, there must be an inclusion of all those who are "BECOMING IN HIM." He is to be the Firstborn of many brethren, and His plan of the ages includes marvellous things which are spoken of these brethren, as they become an extension of the manifestation and expression of Him. Yet the more we declare Him, it is also true that we have declared new dimensions of our destiny, as we are brought into oneness with Him. How glorious is the good news! And the focus of it all is upon our Lord, "In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Colossians 2:3].
            A brief look at the old ministration of the law, will serve us well as we then go on to ponder some precious truths concerning the new ministration of the new covenant.
            "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made: and it was ordained (arranged) by angels in the hand of a mediator." [Galatians 3:19].
            A law to serve until the SEED would come, "Which is Christ." (verse 16). Yet it is to be noted that the word "Christ" is not preceded in the Greek text by the article "the" which would denote identity, therefore it is speaking of quality ― of that ANOINTING SPIRIT, and ANOINTED COMPANY of which The Christ is the Head. It is this enchristed seed which becomes the minister of the new covenant, to bless all nations. While the HEAD of the seed has already come, yet the corporate body of the seed is yet in its process of becoming. Therefore we still have a hangover of the vestiges of the law in many forms of expression. And only as we come into the WALK OF THE SPIRIT are we made free from the entanglements which yet remain of the old order. IN the Spirit there is liberty! Where HE is Lord in us there is liberty.
            When the CORPORATE SEED of which HE is the Head, is fully brought forth, there will be a rapid cessation of the old order, for then the ministration of the new covenant will be in open manifestation ―not just in words, but in power. No one will be able to gainsay that expression. The light will cause the darkness to flee, dissipated into nothingness, never more to return. All of the SHADOWS OF THE LAW will be swallowed up into the reality of that which they did portend.
            Again we note: the law was ordained, arranged, "by angels in the hand of a mediator."
            There were two realms: God, the divine, the celestial; and man, the earthy. These two realms must be brought together, and this will require a mediator ―literally: a go-between. In the giving of the first covenant, we have as it were two mediators, two go-betweens. God was represented by the angels, and man was represented by Moses. Moses was Israel's spokesman. The angels were the spokesmen for God.
            Galatians 3:20, Phillips, "The very fact that there was an intermediary is enough to show that this was not the fulfillment of the promise. For the promise of God needs neither angelic witness nor human intermediary but depends on Him alone."
            How we need this marvellous truth to sink deep into our hearts, and be quickened to our understanding. THE PROMISE OF GOD needs neither an angelic witness, nor a human intermediary, it "DEPENDS ON HIM ALONE." He is totally and
sovereignly responsible for the fulfillment of His own word. From its beginning to its end, our salvation is totally the sovereign work of God, it does not depend on any angel, it does not depend on any man, it does not depend on any works of our flesh, it is entirely HIS WORK IN US, HIS LIFE.
            Acts 7:53 confirms the fact of the angel's participation in the order of the first covenant, speaking of those "Who have received the law by the disposition of angels." Disposition: the arrangement, the institution, the instrumentality of. It was a working of God, using the instrumentality of angels, for it was not to be a permanent arrangement, but only until the seed should come. For a temporary order He could use temporary help.
            While we do not have much Biblical enlightenment on the angel's role, nor the limitations of their work, we certainly do from the human intermediary standpoint. Moses was followed by a priesthood that was to help the order continue, "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death." [Hebrews 7:23]. The very fact that those who ministered the first covenant were so short-lived, was prophetic that the whole ministration of the law would face termination.
            However, though the law was to be super-ceded by a greater order, yet "the word spoken by angels was stedfast." [Hebrews 2:2]. While it was in effect it must be obeyed. Men who disobeyed also suffered the consequences.
            It is also significant that in this law given by the disposition of angels, the ultimate consequence of disobedience was always death. It was a ministration of condemnation, and a "ministration of death." [2 Corinthians 3:7]. The outward observances and service of the law could not change the inner nature of man ― and what it could not change, it could only put to death. Heavy, heavy hangs the sword of the law! And the angel of the Lord was ever present with that sword for those who disobeyed.
            Balaam found this so, in his own self-willed action, and it was necessary that "The Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand." [Numbers 22:31]. Many other examples are also given in the Old Testament, for the law was ministered from the celestial side by angels, with a sword.
            Now on the earth side, we have Moses as the go-between. "They said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." [Exodus 20:19]. For sure, Moses was a very faithful servant, and he could tell the people the law ― the word of the Lord -but he could not change them, nor impart to them a nature to do the will of God. The problem was not with the law, for "the law is holy, the commandment holy, and just, and good." [Romans 7:12]. The problem was with the ministration of that law. The angels could bear the sword, the human spokemen could declare the Word of the Lord, but neither realm could change the inner nature of man to enable him to keep the law. Thus, "The commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." [Romans 1:10].
            Furthermore, Paul went on, "We know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal (flesh-minded)." [Romans 7:14]. As long as the law was spiritual, but man remained carnal, it is obvious that the GO-BETWEEN was not bringing the two realms together. That ministration was a failure! The angels could certainly put on an awesome display of power. "All the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking." If [Exodus 20:18]. It put a FEAR into them, but it could not change their natures.
            Moses, and all the priesthood that followed, plus all the prophets that were sent unto them ― these could faithfully declare the message, yet "They knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day."[Acts 13:27]. The word was not getting through to them, though they heard it every week, and could probably recite measures of the law by rote. Something was vitally missing ―the SPIRIT OF LIFE was not there! It was an on-going failure, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." [Romans 3:23]. And "the wages of sin is death." [Romans 6:23] and so death passed upon all men.
            God gave Ezekiel a vision of this state of affairs, when "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry."[Ezekiel 37:1-2].
            That, my beloved friend, was the result of the ministration which was "of death, written and engraven in stones." [2 Corinthians 3:7]. And lest there would be any doubt in his mind as to whose bones they were, God said to Ezekiel, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel." (verse 11). There's the vision, there's the application. THE WHOLE HOUSE was under the ministration of the law, came short of the glory of God, and met up with the angel with the sword.
            Obviously, it was essential, yea, it was imperative that there be a change of order, of ministration. The ministration of condemnation and death must needs be replaced with a new ministration which would be OF LIFE.
            Jesus Christ came on the scene, and declared, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." [John 10:10].
            The Amplified gives: "In abundance ―to the full, till it overflows!"
            How was this to be accomplished? GOD INTERPOSED HIMSELF, He placed Himself as the mediator, as the go-between. "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him." [Isaiah 59:16].
            There was no man able to accomplish the task. There was no angelic intercessor able to bring forth the victory. Therefore HIS OWN ARM was stretched out, and HE interposed Himself ―He gave a promise which depended not on angelic witness nor human intermediary, but it DEPENDED ON HIM ALONE. He is both the Author and the Finisher, and all of the way in between.
            "God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath." [Hebrews 6:17].
            The word "confirmed" is the Greek word "mesites" meaning: mediator, reconciler, intercessor, to interpose, i.e. place oneself in between.
            God declared that HE would place Himself as the go-between. "To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto Himself." [2 Corinthians 5:19].
            Now, this GO-BETWEEN, this MEDIATOR between God and man, must be on equal terms with both realms, to rightly represent both realms. He must be able to converse freely in the realm of divinity. He must be able to identify with the low realms of mankind. Total identity with both dimensions! There is "ONE MEDIATOR between God (the celestial) and men (the earthy), the man Christ Jesus." [1 Timothy 2:5].
            Concerning His identity with the Divine, we know that He was able to freely converse on that level. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." [John 1:1-2].
            From the beginning truth then is manifested, "Being essentially one with God and in the form of God (possessing the fulness of the attributes which make God God)." [Philippians 2:6, Amplified].
            I assure you that He intimately knew the realm of the Divine. He could fully represent the Celestial, because He knew in minute detail all the LIFE OF THE CELESTIAL. Indeed, Jesus said to the people, "He that sent Me is true, whom ye know not. BUT I KNOW HIM: for I am from Him, and He hath sent me." [John 7:28-29].
            The word "know" is "oida" meaning: full knowledge, absolute knowledge. It means, to get inside of, an INNER KNOWING, a penetration into the depths, to experience its reality. A total intimacy!
            No doubt about it, HE KNEW THE DIVINE REALM, He could fully represent the interests of that realm.
            A great question is viewed, but what about KNOWING MAN? This other side, that of humanity? He must equally be intimate with humanity, so that He could fully represent the interests of humanity.
            So, "Himself he emptied, Himself He made void, having taken the outward expression of a bondslave ―entering into a new state of existence, that of mankind." [Philippians 2:7, Wuest].
            Before He could consummate His work as a MEDIATOR He had to experience existence as man. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same..." [Hebrews 2:14].
            "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted (tested) like as we are." [Hebrews 4:15].
            Once, He said, "the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." Once He sat down on the well, being weary. He tested to the full the realm of humanity. "Learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." [Hebrews 5:8]. To the full He suffered as a man!
            Learned obedience ― this bears a thought. The Greek word for "learned" is "manthano" meaning: to understand. Thayer's Lexicon expands this: to be in the habit of, accustomed to, thus, TO EXPERIENCE ITS KNOWING.
            In His omniscience as God, He knew what obedience was, but He never experienced it until He became incarnate in human flesh. Before His incarnation, He owed obedience to no one. None greater to whom He could have rendered obedience; but when He came forth as Son of man, then He could know EXPERIENTIALLY what obedience was. He did not have to learn to obey. He said, "I do always those things that please Him." [John 8:29]. He did not need to be disciplined out of any inclination to disobedience, for it was always His delight to do the Father's will. But growth in experience was an essential part of His humanity. And He followed it through with that ultimate obedience of death on the cross. He experienced humanity to the full. We marvel at this tremendous participation in our earthiness, that He might be our Mediator!
            This is the One we adore! This is our Lord! In absolute understanding of our fraility He can claim the MERCIES OF GOD for us, for He knew what it was, to say "I can of Mine own self do nothing." [John 5:30]. None is weaker than that!
            Yet full well He also knew the Father's heart of love, and could reveal the Father to mankind, and correct all the misunderstanding which the creature has of its Creator. He could say, "’BUT I KNOW HIM,’ and He is not like all the gross caricatures which carnal creeds have portrayed Him to be."
            There were moments when He allowed His inner, divine nature, to show through, and it totally befuddled the people. "What manner of man is this?" For the wind and waves obeyed Him. He speaks with authority! Who is He? "Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son: is not His mother called Mary? ―Whence then hath this man all these things?" [Matthew 13:54-56].
            They knew of His earthiness, but they knew not of His Divine Origin. And methinks we still know Him far too much only as a man, and not enough as God. If we knew Him more as God we would trust Him more. But because we place on Him the limitations of a man, we find it hard to embrace His Godhood; how we need a further revelation of Him ― our glorious Mediator, and our Lord.
            How clearly He speaks to us yet today, "See Me, receive Me, I will become the reality in you." ―for He personified the new covenant. His state of being revealed the Father! Not just what He said, but WHAT HE WAS! It was not primarily a revelation through words, but through a personality. HE WAS THE MESSAGE! In Him we see the earthy and the heavenly united, for to make of Himself of twain, ONE NEW MAN! In Him we find the fulfillment of all the gospel. And it was GOD HIMSELF who was in this Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.
            Then Paul goes on, "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." [2 Corinthians 5:20].
            For sure, we have no trouble identifying with the earthy. How easily we identify with all the pains, problems, stresses and tensions which befall mankind. One gives testimony of what they are going through, and everyone else says, "That's me. That's what I am going through, too. I sure can relate with you now, brother." And what are they identifying with? ― our humanity. People find it very easy to be joined to your weaknesses, but very hard to be joined to your strengths. For they find it difficult to be identified with the Christ-strength which is in you. People can readily identify with humanity and its DEATH realm, but they find it hard to identify with LIFE. Yet HE came that we might have LIFE, life that overflows. And we are to be ambassadors for Christ ―to reveal the Christ― LIFE.
            In His stead ―the Greek word is "huper" meaning: over, instead of. It is not speaking of leaving Him out, but of a vital UNION WITH HIM, where we have become so ONE IN HIM, that where He sends us ―He is! "Of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." [John 1:16]. Thus we become the OUTWARD EXPRESSION of the indwelling Christ: that living message, which is also a LIVING GO-BETWEEN.
            To be an ambassador. Greek "presbeuo" meaning: senior ― an experienced and mature one who understands all the affairs which are to be dealt with. In another place Paul helped define this, by stating, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. [1 Timothy 3:6].
            NOT A NOVICE ―the Greek word is "neophutos" meaning: newly planted. It comes from the root "phuo" meaning: to puff, swell up, as when a seed germinates and begins to grow. Take a very dry seed and place it in some water, and as it takes in that water, it begins to enlarge, swell up, and an inner germ of life is awakened and begins to grow. In this initial stage of the process, that seed, suddenly infused with "the water of the Word" may think it has arrived ―now it has the "answers," and is ready to go out and DO things. However, that is the process just begun. "That which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be..." [1 Corinthians 15:37]. For with the QUICKENING OF THAT INNER GERM OF LIFE, there is an immediate process that must take place ― a death to all the rest of that seed form.
            "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth much fruit." [John 12:24].
            There is a death required; all of the flesh that surrounds that LIFE-GERM must go into decay, while the roots of the new life begin to reach out and take in that substance which increases its growth. The life is there in the seed, but all the shell must fade away, while the new comes into being.
            A novice has not yet EXPERIENCED the deep inworkings of the cross which brings death to all of the "puffed-upness" of the flesh. Truth in lives untouched by the Cross brings heartache to those around them. The flesh will use trust for SELF ―defence, SELF-justification, SELF-interests, etc. and will not care how many are bruised and wounded as they seek to build their own kingdom, and gain their own way. But once the Cross is worked deep within, and self is "crucified with Christ," there will come forth only an expression of His love, and grace, and mercy ― ministered in tenderness and compassion.
            If ever we will be able to be a go- between, to IN HIS STEAD beseech men to be reconciled to God, we will have had to experience the DEPTHS of the cross, and the HEIGHTS of the divine. Jesus knew the glories of the Father, and He knew the depths of humanity, and the inworking of the cross; and in Himself He reconciled the twain. In Him the nothingness of man, and the very fulness of Deity came together. He could freely minister divine life to the lowest of men.
            You cannot proclaim effectively the way of the cross unless you are willing to experience its deep inworkings. Calvary was for Jesus the climax of a life that had known the WAY of the cross all the while. He could tell others, "Let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Because He Himself was daily laying aside His own will to do the will of His Father. The cross was for Him a LIFESTYLE. He could face its climax in triumph because He had already successfully walked its way.
            You cannot effectively proclaim the glories of the celestial unless you have experienced them. How little do we know that realm. So instead of a message of spiritual reality, we preach our religious systems, our works, our formulas ―five steps to this victory, seven steps to that blessing ―and we offer our creeds and doctrines, but very little can we express HIM. First we need to EXPERIENCE HIM, before we can effectively proclaim Him.
            Truly, our God is in the PROCESS of bringing forth a representative of Himself, that will be able to say to the world, "Be ye reconciled to God," and they will KNOW HIM whom they present to the world. It will not be some false caricature of God ― based on carnal concept and traditions of error, it will be a message of truth, because they will have EXPERIENCED HIM.
            Thus the prayer of Paul is rapidly becoming the prayer of those who are apprehended by Christ for this calling in Him. "That I may KNOW Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." [Philippians 3:10-11].
            Amplified: "― that I may progressively become more deeply intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."
            To know ―ginosko ―to know by experience, to penetrate into the inner realities, to experience Him. Then we'll have a message of Him to share!
            How shall I come to KNOW Him? First by identification in the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comformable unto His death. And then from that depth we shall arise in the power of His resurrection ―to know Him in the fulness of His LIFE ― ascending into the heights which are far beyond our present comprehension. When we KNOW the full inworking of resurrection, we will KNOW HIM! For HE IS our resurrection!
            "And this is life age-abiding, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." [John 17:3].
            "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life. ―That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you."[1 John 1:1,3].
            Out of this EXPERIENCING THE DIVINE shall come a ministry that is not of condemnation unto death, but will be THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY. For these will not impute trespasses unto men, but rather, IN HIS STEAD they will become that LIVING GO-BETWEEN, to beseech men to be reconciled to God. When men shall see that LIVING EXPRESSION of God in redeemed men, they will be drawn to Him, to become partakers of that same reality.

 

We're called to be ambassadors,
To represent our Lord.
Expressions of His handiwork ―
With reconciling word.
 
Terrestial and celestial realms
Once seemed so far apart,
The blood of Christ has brought them nigh,
United in thy heart.
 
In Him old things are passed away,
That all may become new,
No condemnation, doubt, or fear,
Where love and grace ensue.
 
How well we know the nothingness,
Futility of man,
Subjected unto vanity
By wise design and plan.
 
Now we must know of fulness, too,
The realm of the divine,
To penetrate into those things
Where beams of glory shine.
 
To mediate ―stand in the gap,
One must experienced be,
In both the realms of height and depth ―
Earth, and the heavenly.
 
Then in His stead we shall beseech
That men to Him would come,
For life is freely giv'n to all,
The blind, the lame, the dumb.

And when in us, as was in Christ,
The one new man is seen,
Then in His stead we shall become
His living go-between.