Verse of the Day 9/10

Through the Bible - Proverbs 19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6:13   Good morning, A couple of weekends ago St. Marks Church held it's annual baptism ceremony at Lake Kammack.  I believe that eighty some people were baptized, making a public declaration of their faith in Jesus.   The ceremony celebrates that in Christ, they are new people, new on the inside.  This should lead to a life that shows the change on the outside.  The Holy Spirit gives new life, we are not the same any more.  The NLT Study Bible notes point out that we are not reforemed, rehabilitated, or reeducated but "new creations" in Christ.   Today's verse comes from today's NT Bible reading in 2 Corinthians 5: 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,   NKJV We are new and we are given a responsibility - the ministry of reconciliation, bringing others into a right relationship with Christ.  We are part of the great commision (Matt. 28:16-20)   A little further down in the passage we are told that we are to be "ambassadors' for Christ: 2 Cor 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.   NKJV As ambassadors we are representatives of the King of heaven, pleading for the people of the world to be reconciled to God.  An ambassador is more than a representative, he is an authorized representative, he carries authority on behalf of his king.   What are we doing towards that end if we are dead to the old life and raised up to new life in Christ?   In Christ, Mike   2 Cor 5:12-6:1 Be Reconciled to God 12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV