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Conviction, fear and love are three motivating factors that compel and drive the Christian towards the divine destiny God has ordained. The transformed person is one who desires to constantly, earnestly and ambitiously please God. This is his goal and primary objective in life. Such is his zeal, not to be toss back and forth like the waves but to be steadfast and immovable in his conviction, his fear and love for God. Conviction is when the mind has evaluated and judged and comes to a conclusion that it is indeed the right thing to do. One has sifted the evidence and facts and arrived at the inevitable. The mind convinces itself to fear God and persuades the heart to respond in love. Godly fear acknowledges and honours God for His sovereignty and holiness.

The love of Jesus has to completely dominate the heart and the mind. George Matheson was so moved to pen down such a love in these words: “O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.” The consequence of such an overwhelming and sacrificial love produces within the transformed Christian, a responsive heart and a returning love for Jesus.

Therefore, the Apostle Paul described the Christian as an ambassador (2 Cor. 5:20) – a very high calling. An ambassador is one appointed by a country to represent the country wherever he is officially located. He is highly regarded by his country and well respected by his people. He has been given the authority to represent his Head of State.

As an ambassador for Jesus with the authority to represent Him, speak and plead on His behalf in order to reconcile men to God. He is a trustworthy envoy (who) brings healing (Prov. 13:17) for there is goodwill to be found in such an upright man (Prov. 14:9). Indeed he is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; refreshes the spirit of his masters (Prov. 25:13) and through the blessing of the upright the city is exalted (Prov. 11:11). Apostle Paul, as an ambassador, surmised; “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).