Kingdom Ambassadors
By Heather R. Garey
What’s the most quotable and recognizable verse from the Bible? Most people would cite John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” In one verse, the character and purpose of God and His son Jesus are summarized.
John 3:16 shows the love of God in action. Through the sacrifice of his only son, He provided a way by which all men can be saved from a life of bondage to sin. No wonder it’s called the gospel—the good news! Jesus commissioned all believers to go out and tell the world this good news of reconciliation to God through the sacrifice of His son.
As Christians, we need to do a self-check to evaluate how we’re doing with that commission. Are we staying in close fellowship with the Father so we can continue to be saturated in His love? After all, how can we tell someone about something we don’t know, or give someone something we don’t have?
Jesus prophesied that the world would become a darker place in the end times. The evidence of this truth is all around us. A cloud of violence, hate, greed, selfishness, and lawlessness shrouds the world. So what can we do? Post the ten commandments outside our public buildings and vote our beliefs into the laws of the land? That certainly helps those who choose God’s way feel more comfortable. But is it the way to fulfill our purpose, given to us by Jesus?
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that “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.” (2nd Corinthians 5:20 NIV). The New Testament is our guide for how to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission, which mandates Christians to go out into all the world to make disciples, or followers, of all nations.
The word “[ambassador” comes from the Latin word ambectus, meaning “servant”. An ambassador is an authorized messenger or representative. We who have accepted Jesus as Lord have been authorized to act on His behalf to tell others of the reconciliation of God.
Ambassadors are chosen by government officials for their skills in diplomacy. One of the definitions of a diplomat is a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations.
Diana, Princess of Wales, acted as a goodwill ambassador supporting many causes for those in need around the globe. She became known for her compassion and diplomacy, making positive changes throughout the world. She understood the importance of her role as representative of England and the Crown. How much more should we as Christians recognize our role as Kingdom Ambassadors, representatives of the Most High God?
Ambassadors often leave their home, family, friends, culture, and routines, in order to spread good will in a foreign and often hostile country. Often, the ambassador serves as the only encounter a person may have with the country being represented. If the ambassador doesn’t learn the cultural etiquette, customs, laws, and values, he or she will fail to build a bridge of goodwill between nations.
If the ambassador tries to impose her country’s belief systems in the foreign land, he or she could incite violence and exile. However, when an ambassador is kind, seeks understanding, and then shares beliefs, values and customs of his or her own country, the representative earns respect and a point of entry to influence people’s thinking.
In Luke 19:10, Jesus said “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” He didn’t come to judge or condemn, or even to give a set of rules. Like a gentle shepherd, His desire was to lead His wayward sheep home. When He left this earth, He gave us the mandate to follow in His footsteps.
.
As children of God, earth is not our home. We are aliens in this land until we are called home to heaven. What kind of ambassadors are we in this earth? How are we reflecting the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father to those who do not know him?
When people view Christians in today’s society, do they see joy-filled people who selflessly give of their time, talents and treasure to make the world a better place? Or do they see judgmental people who will condemn them for their shortcomings? If it is the latter, we have some adjustments to make.
Jesus told us to be fishers of men, but he didn’t tell us we had to catch them, then clean them up, or clean them up before they could be caught. If people experienced Christians as ambassadors who spread love wherever they went, it would be easy to fulfill the Great Commission. The nets would break with the weight of all those who would want to jump into the boat.
How do we show this love to a lost and dying world? It’s all contained in our manual, the Bible. Our kindness, gentleness, love, and joy should be evident to all as we represent Christ as goodwill ambassadors on this earth.
By Heather R. Garey
What’s the most quotable and recognizable verse from the Bible? Most people would cite John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” In one verse, the character and purpose of God and His son Jesus are summarized.
John 3:16 shows the love of God in action. Through the sacrifice of his only son, He provided a way by which all men can be saved from a life of bondage to sin. No wonder it’s called the gospel—the good news! Jesus commissioned all believers to go out and tell the world this good news of reconciliation to God through the sacrifice of His son.
As Christians, we need to do a self-check to evaluate how we’re doing with that commission. Are we staying in close fellowship with the Father so we can continue to be saturated in His love? After all, how can we tell someone about something we don’t know, or give someone something we don’t have?
Jesus prophesied that the world would become a darker place in the end times. The evidence of this truth is all around us. A cloud of violence, hate, greed, selfishness, and lawlessness shrouds the world. So what can we do? Post the ten commandments outside our public buildings and vote our beliefs into the laws of the land? That certainly helps those who choose God’s way feel more comfortable. But is it the way to fulfill our purpose, given to us by Jesus?
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that “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.” (2nd Corinthians 5:20 NIV). The New Testament is our guide for how to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission, which mandates Christians to go out into all the world to make disciples, or followers, of all nations.
The word “[ambassador” comes from the Latin word ambectus, meaning “servant”. An ambassador is an authorized messenger or representative. We who have accepted Jesus as Lord have been authorized to act on His behalf to tell others of the reconciliation of God.
Ambassadors are chosen by government officials for their skills in diplomacy. One of the definitions of a diplomat is a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations.
Diana, Princess of Wales, acted as a goodwill ambassador supporting many causes for those in need around the globe. She became known for her compassion and diplomacy, making positive changes throughout the world. She understood the importance of her role as representative of England and the Crown. How much more should we as Christians recognize our role as Kingdom Ambassadors, representatives of the Most High God?
Ambassadors often leave their home, family, friends, culture, and routines, in order to spread good will in a foreign and often hostile country. Often, the ambassador serves as the only encounter a person may have with the country being represented. If the ambassador doesn’t learn the cultural etiquette, customs, laws, and values, he or she will fail to build a bridge of goodwill between nations.
If the ambassador tries to impose her country’s belief systems in the foreign land, he or she could incite violence and exile. However, when an ambassador is kind, seeks understanding, and then shares beliefs, values and customs of his or her own country, the representative earns respect and a point of entry to influence people’s thinking.
In Luke 19:10, Jesus said “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.” He didn’t come to judge or condemn, or even to give a set of rules. Like a gentle shepherd, His desire was to lead His wayward sheep home. When He left this earth, He gave us the mandate to follow in His footsteps.
.
As children of God, earth is not our home. We are aliens in this land until we are called home to heaven. What kind of ambassadors are we in this earth? How are we reflecting the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father to those who do not know him?
When people view Christians in today’s society, do they see joy-filled people who selflessly give of their time, talents and treasure to make the world a better place? Or do they see judgmental people who will condemn them for their shortcomings? If it is the latter, we have some adjustments to make.
Jesus told us to be fishers of men, but he didn’t tell us we had to catch them, then clean them up, or clean them up before they could be caught. If people experienced Christians as ambassadors who spread love wherever they went, it would be easy to fulfill the Great Commission. The nets would break with the weight of all those who would want to jump into the boat.
How do we show this love to a lost and dying world? It’s all contained in our manual, the Bible. Our kindness, gentleness, love, and joy should be evident to all as we represent Christ as goodwill ambassadors on this earth.
copyright © 2010 Heather R. Garey. All rights reserved.