In Christ’s Stead

All Christians are one in Christ. There is but one seed—all are embraced in Christ, the Representative Man. Therefore “as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17. Christ was in this world as an example of what men ought to be, and of what His true followers will be when wholly consecrated to Him. To His disciples He says, “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you,” and to this end He clothes them with His own power through the Spirit. “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17. Therefore we are not sent to condemn, but to save. Hence the injunction, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ... restore such an one.” This is not to be limited to those who are associated with us in church capacity. We are sent as ambassadors for Christ, to beseech men, in Christ’s stead, to be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20. The whole universe provides no greater work; no higher office can be found in heaven or earth than that of ambassador for Christ, which is the office of even the lowliest and most despised soul that is reconciled to God.GTI 235.2