People of God: Ambassadors of Christ

An ambassador is an official envoy or diplomatic agent who is appointed to represent a country or organization in a foreign land. The ambassador’s role is crucial in fostering relations and to advocate the interests of the entity they represent. We as people of God are likewise ambassadors of Christ and are called to represent Christ and the heavenly Kingdom of God. Thus, as witnesses we ought to represent Christ's love and grace so as to bring forth everlasting peace and tranquility to our world.

However, this role of ours is not to be taken lightly. We are commissioned by God to be ambassadors, and therefore we need to maintain a daily correspondence with Him in order to be worthwhile envoys fulfilling the interests of our LORD. When Joshua succeeds Moses, he is instructed as such:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8,9

God commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land and encourages him with the command to be strong and courageous, reminding him that He will be with him wherever he goes. In a similar way, our Father in heaven will guide, and we don’t have to be afraid or anxious. Nevertheless, God also instructs Joshua to meditate on the LORD’s Law day and night, and to observe what is written in it, following these will grant success in the mission Joshua is about to embark on. This is true for us as well. Reliance on God's strength and guidance will ensure that we fulfill our calling as people of God. We are equipped and empowered by God to carry out His work, and from our part we have to faithfully obey, follow, and walk according to His Will.

Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians provides further insight into our role as ambassadors of Christ. He stresses on three key things. Firstly, since we are made anew in Christ, we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Further, we are given a ministry of reconciliation to bring forth the world to reconcile with God through Jesus Christ. It is for this purpose of reconciliation, God sent Jesus Christ who knew no sin to be made sin for our sake and be sacrificed as an atonement in our place. Now, as ambassadors for Christ, we reconcile with God and carry out this ministry of reconciliation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 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. 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. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Secondly, Paul stresses the importance of the current moment. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). There is no time like the present to share about Christ and His Kingdom to the world. As ambassadors, our work is at hand. We can’t and shouldn’t make excuses to postpone this work. If we delay, we would be spending the grace of God in vain.

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2

Finally, Paul stresses that as ambassadors we are to embody the character of Christ and display patience, kindness, sincere love, truth, righteousness etc., in order to extend God’s grace and forgiveness to everyone around us. By doing so, we stand as living testimonies of God's transformative power through the Gospel of Christ. As ambassadors our task and path is not easy, but we are not alone. We are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and everything which would seem negative in this contemporary world, the LORD would make as positives for our sake.

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

A model for our own mission as ambassadors of Christ can be seen from the disciples being sent out on a mission by Jesus Christ. The disciples were given authority over unclean spirits and were sent to proclaim the Gospel and heal the sick. In this specific incident, Jesus also commands them not to take anything for the journey. This way, the disciples learnt about total reliance on God. The disciples were instructed to stay at one house when they entered a new place. Thus, there was no place for seeking comforts, but to be glad where they are at. The disciples preached a message of repentance, which is needed before one can reconcile with God. Then there was the element of healing in their ministry, which should both the providence of God and also the compassion of the disciples. Our ministry should follow the same. The message of repentance and reconciliation with God should be accompanied with compassion for the ill and sick, who God will heal through us if we are faithful. Above all, we need to rely on divine providence for everything. There is also a warning here, not everyone will accept the chance to reconcile with God and will be adamant to not repent. While this is saddening, we can only pray for them and hope they accept the grace of God.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:7-13

As people of God, we are ambassadors of Christ and we have a significant role to play in this world. We are called to be strong and courageous and rely on the word of God, meditating it day and night to strengthen ourselves. We are called to embody the character and nature of Jesus Christ, living as testimonies to His transformative work. We are called to share the message of reconciliation and repentance. We are called to walk in love, grace, humility and hope. We are called to extend compassion and mercy to those in need. We are called to heal and mend. We are called to be peacemakers in this unrest world. We will face challenges, we may face opposition, rejection and difficulties along the way, but the grace, strength, provision and assurance of God is sufficient to overcome everything and fulfill our calling.

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1,2

Through our union with God, we have the privilege of being His ambassadors. Let us embrace our calling with faith and obedience, relying on God's strength and guidance for this role. May we find courage in His presence, draw upon His grace, and trust in His faithfulness. May our lives reflect His love, grace, and truth, and may we be instruments of His kingdom wherever we go.