Ambassadors!
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
am•bas•sa•dor ( m-b s -d r, -dôr )
n.
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.
2. A diplomatic official heading his or her country’s permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.
3. An authorized messenger or representative.
4. An unofficial representative: ambassadors of goodwill.
We are ambassadors for Christ, diplomatic officials of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representatives in residence by one government or sovereign to another, and our term is for life. Wherever He sends us, for however long a time period, we are citizens of heaven, sent to represent the government of heaven, the kingdom rule and reign of God, into this generation, by Jesus Christ, king of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Himself.
Our job description is clearly defined in the book, we are to speak His Words, implement his operational procedures, and conduct ourselves as royal dignitaries of love, into whatever culture He sends us. We represent HEAVEN! The government of God. We are not to do our own agenda, nor speak our own words, but as sent ones, we speak the Word of God, declaring His decrees, and He backs up His Word with His power and authority.
High honor and privilege! Holiness of heart and life required, for we represent the great King of all the universe!
Our job, is to reconcile people to God, loving them to life, gently living, and teaching them them the whole counsel of God, until they grow in grace to the point, where they see that the love, understanding, training, equipping, and vision they have received, is the answer to this world, and they, begin to Go, and love and instruct people in the name of Jesus.
Paul considered himself Christ’s ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler’s mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.
Paul used this “ambassador” image twice — both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, “that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:18-20). He wrote also that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation…So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation effected at Calvary, he was declaring Christ’s message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, as long as he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say.
James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.
Let’s pray:
“Father, thank you for loving me, and showing me Your plan for my life. Now, I take my place in your gift and calling, determined to Go where you ask me to go, and stay where you ask me to stay. Show me how to unlock Your gifts, potential and destiny in others, as I walk in your authority, grace, and recognition, that you are indeed king of the universe, making me a servent of the most high God….”