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The UK Bible Students Website Christian Biblical Studies
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AMBASSADORS
FOR CHRIST
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.
(2 Corinthians 5: 20)
All Scripture references are to the King James
Version
A SENSE OF MISSION has always been basic to the Christian identity. Those relieved by faith from
the condemnation
of sin are driven to pass on the saving news of the Gospel to anyone who will
listen.
Easier said than done.
Distracted by everyday anxieties and responsibilities, disillusioned by broken promises and dreams of all
sorts, and discouraged from Christian belief by the tide of secularism sweeping the land, many people
are less open to the message of the Gospel than in former years.
We must not, of course, exaggerate the situation. Except for occasional outbursts, such as the spasms
of evangelical fervour of the Great Awakenings in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
Christianity of the rigorous variety was never overwhelmingly popular. But there was an
honourable accommodation with the faith, and its tenets sank deep into British culture, reinforced in
literature and liturgy, informing the bedrock of our constitution, with
its freedoms and civilisation.
The Apostle Paul announces that Christians have been charged with the ministry of reconciliation.
Jesus is the great Reconciler, having given Himself as a ransom on the cross, opening up an avenue of
faith by which the sinner could approach the Father. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit’, the Apostle writes in
another place. What a splendid consolation this is! Our sins do not keep us from God; rather the
forgiveness of them draws us to Him. Now having been reconciled to the Father by the Son we are,
in turn, charged with making known to others this peculiar blessing.
We should accept this particular charge with the courage of conviction, but this does not mean sallying
forth armed with little more than enthusiasm. We ought to educate ourselves in the Word. Think on it
and pray over it. We will not persuade others with shallow notions and
wishful thinking, bluster over brains.
Ambassadors of nations are selected with great care. It’s an important posting and the character of an
ambassador can make or break the reputation of the government being represented. Ambassadors
speak for their country at the highest level and must discharge their duties conscientiously and
obediently, behaving in such a manner as to bring credit to their own nation and yet be received as
an honoured and valued guest in the state to which they are assigned.
Off You Go, Then – But Tread Carefully
Every Christian is an ambassador for Christ. Each one of us embodies the cause of the Kingdom of
Heaven, from whence our true citizenship derives. And like worldly ambassadors we have certain
privileges and powers which we should keep in mind. An eight-point
analogy might read as follows:
1. Extra-territoriality: An ambassador’s residence, the embassy, is regarded as belonging to the nation
which the ambassador represents, and should be exempt from interference or attack by the host
government.
Though dwelling in this world, the Christian is not a part of it. The villains of selfishness and
fleshly-mindedness ought to have no claim on our hearts. If, by chance, when our defences
are down, they break in, we must take stiff and urgent
measures to repel them.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-11; 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
2. Stay in touch with HQ: A twenty-first-century embassy bristles with electronic means of
communication, receiving daily or hourly instructions from its own government on emerging crises
or sudden changes in routine.
The Christian must maintain regular, frequent contact with God in prayer and study of the Word.
If we don’t, we will get rusty and forget who we are really working for and overlook the places
where spiritual dangers lurk.
3. Understand the culture of the host country: An ambassador who is ignorant of the social mores,
history, or language of the country to which he or she is posted is likely to be ineffective and prone
to gaffes.
At all times we must be alert to our circumstances in the world and the influences operating
upon us.
We may not choose sin, but sometimes it catches up with us because we are
not paying attention.
Matthew 26: 41; Galatians 6: 1-4
4. Patriotism: An ambassador is a servant of the government whose flag he or she represents
and loyalty is of prime importance.
Under the banner of Christ, the believer owes allegiance solely to Christ and His cause.
Commingling our efforts with private, side loyalties to worldliness, the
flesh, or self will not do.
6. Upholding the Constitution: The ambassador has a duty to follow the laws of his or her own
sovereign country first and, subordinately, to abide by
the laws of the host nation.
The Christian must be seen to be an upstanding citizen of his or her natural land – paying taxes,
driving within the speed limit, showing civic respect, and so on. There will arise occasions
when we must put the law of God – His Word – before earthly allegiances.
7. Diplomacy: An ambassador must be versed in standards of protocol, competent to interact
smoothly with his hosts and, when necessary, to soothe
troubled tempers.
We may not practise deception on anyone, but we should be astute as to how and when
we expound the Biblical message.
Matthew 7: 6; Luke 16: 8, 9; 10: 16
8. Sociability: The art of a good ambassador is to entertain an assortment of guests, making them
feel at ease and well-liked, reflecting favourably on
the envoy’s country.
As Christ died for all, the Christian is exhorted to be hospitable to all, in both the literal and
spiritual senses, without seeking reward or compensation.
Hebrews 12: 14; 13: 2; James 1: 27
I heard the voice of the LORD, saying,
Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
And I said, Here am I; send
me.
(Isaiah 6: 8)
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Copyright October 2009
ukbiblestudents.co.uk
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