Because of the cross, Paul saw other people differently. He no longer saw them by worldly standards. As believers, we shouldn’t judge others by class distinction, economic standing, educational level, racial difference, or gender bias. Instead, we should view every person as God’s image-bearer (Gen 1:27) and view believers as one in Jesus (Gal 3:28). At one point Paul had been guilty of that when he regarded Christ from a worldly point of view prior to believing in Him. Everyone who believes in Jesus gets a new nature. The old person who was a slave to sin and selfishness is done away with and a new life has been implanted with new attitudes and actions which should be nurtured in devotion to Christ as we no longer live for ourselves (2 Cor 15:15). This new creation is a gift from God who has made a way through Christ to reconcile sinners to himself. God reconciles us by no longer holding our sin against us. He does this because He has placed our sin on Jesus, the One who knew no sin and made Him sin and then gave us His righteousness. Not only has He reconciled Himself to us, but He has given us the job of taking His offer of reconciliation to others. We have been entrusted to be His ambassadors to the world taking the message to all people with the following appeal, “we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Do you see all people as equals, every one made in the image of God? Or do you still tend to look at people through worldly distinctions? How can you take God’s message of reconciliation to people if you don’t see them as God does, loved so much that Jesus would die for them just like He did for you? What do you need to change to be a better ambassador for God?