Ambassadors

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.  And He has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation.  We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”   2 Corinthians 5:18-20

According to Wikipedia, an ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat who represents a nation. This diplomat is usually stationed in a foreign country to advance the agendas of his home government. An ambassador is not a citizen of the country where he lives.  His sole purpose in living there is to represent his home nation and advance its interests in the host country.

In this passage, Paul calls Christians ambassadors of Christ. This comparison is a wonderful picture of the purpose of each Christ follower’s life. We, too, live in a place that is not our home, for our citizenship is in heaven. Have you ever wondered why God prolongs calling us home to live with Him forever? This passage answers that question…it is because He has appointed His followers as ambassadors on this earth. We are His representatives, through whom He accomplishes His plan and purposes.

And what is the main work of Christ’s ambassadors? It is to share the message of reconciliation. You see, Christ was God’s first ambassador to earth. He came to reconcile mankind to our Creator because our rebellion made us His enemy. What does it mean to be reconciled to God? It means to be won over or to be made right with God. Christ’s message was one of repentance and faith. And now, Christ has committed His ministry of reconciliation to His followers. It’s just as if, Paul writes, God is making His appeal through us. And what is God’s appeal to every person on the face of this earth? Be reconciled to God!

What if you began to live your life intentionally as an ambassador of Christ? Would your attitude, motives, words, and actions change? It is an amazing truth that Christ has entrusted His ministry to us. It is for His sake that we are living in a land that is not our eternal home. May our lives proclaim His message: Be reconciled to God!

Lord Jesus, thank You for reconciling me to God through Your sacrifice on the cross. It is overwhelming to think that You have entrusted me with Your message. Please give me Your heart for those who need to be reconciled to God. Show me how to love and serve them, and how to boldly share the gospel with humility and grace. It is in Your name I pray, amen.