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)
What a privilege we have been given to be appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ to represent the one and only true and living God and His Kingdom by witnessing to the world "Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). To understand the magnitude of the unmerited mercy and grace God extends to us and allows us to be in partnership with Him as a co-heir with His Son Jesus -- Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) -- we should first look at the definition of the word "ambassadors". In the Strong's Complete Word Study Concordance Expanded Edition, 2004 -- this is a new tool I have recently invested in -- the word "ambassadors" in the Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:20 is represented by the Greek word number
4243 as
presbeuĊ,
pres-byoo'o; from the base of
4245; to be a
senior, i.e. (by implication)
act as a representative (figurative
preacher):- be an ambassador.
The question is: What is required of an ambassador? We will briefly look at the office of an ambassador and reflect on being ambassadors who represent the Kingdom of God. We know God exercises His divine authority over the just and the unjust and all saints and sinners are appointed in positions they find themselves by Almighty God's will and purpose and by His grace. We will now look at the criteria God requires of us as ambassadors for Christ. So let us examine ourselves to see whether we are representing God faithfully and whether we are being true ambassadors for Christ -- or more specifically whether we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) or whether there are some who are imposters.
Within the office of an ambassador, no ambassador assumes the office and the responsibilities of being a representative of his nation without first being called and appointed to office. The appointment is subject to one being fit to take up the duties of office and the person would also have to be a citizen of the nation he represents. Therefore, in order for a Christian to be able to represent God's Kingdom we need to be called (Romans 1:6; 8:28) and we are also to be citizens (Ephesians 2:19) of the Kingdom we are representing. To become a citizen we need to be reconciled back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) and we have to be born again spiritually (John 3:3,7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24).
The ambassador of, for example, South Africa to the United States of America would have to meet certain requirements before he can take up residence on foreign soil in the office as ambassador. Besides being appointed by the President of South Africa (his home nation) and receiving security clearance to represent the nation of South Africa on foreign soil, that is, in this example, in the United States of America, the laws that will govern the land upon which his embassy will be situate will be governed by and in accordance with South Afrcan law. Ambassadors are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country, but should the ambassador commit a crime outside of the embassy on the host country's territory he can be subject to being prosecuted in terms of the laws of the USA, in this example. But every man-made law, ordinances, statutes and adopted resolutions are subject to God's Holy Law. God rules over all - over the good and the bad, those who are rebels and those who are His friends, those who hate Him and those who love Him, those who are the children of the wicked one, and those who are His very own. For the Christian our King God has appointed us to represent His Kingdom of Heaven upon the earth and we are subject to His Law, statutes, and commandments (Psalm 19:7-10) that are contained in His Word which is The Holy Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word of God is the 'constitution' by which Christians live. But know this, all, believers and unbelievers, will be judged according to God's moral standards on the Day of Judgment --
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30,31)
Ambassadors are ministers of the highest rank, with plenipotentiary authority to represent their head of state. Christians do not act on their own accord. He is a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:18) and was bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20). We are to be in continued contact with our Captain, our Father God by praying (Ephesians 6:18) to heaven (headquarters) - requesting God's instructions. Christians have a King that knows best every time. Jesus rules His Kingdom through His ambassadors:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6,7)
As you can see during the conflicts around the world, ambassadors represent their nations to bring about a cease-fire and peace. We know there is a war which is raging on and that we are to represent the kingdom of light (heaven) in the kingdom of darkness (earth). As ambassadors we know we have also been given the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) to protect ourselves as we fight the spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:12) and that our ministry given to us is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18b). We are the vessels through which God reconciles sinners back to Himself and the way to do so is to be obedient and preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).
And how shall they call upon the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, if the Word is not preached? Remember what the translated Greek word for "ambassadors" says:
act as a representative (figurative
preacher). Romans 10:14-17 reads:
How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
As the ambassadors of the nations in this world are sent to
try resolve worldly conflict, we being ambassadors for Christ have a higher and sure calling to Go and preach the Gospel --
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
But it goes beyond just preaching -- we need to teach them, too. The main part is not to leave 'babes in Christ', but to disciple them that they too will be taught to observe all things whatsoever Jesus has commanded us.
Christian, let us be obedient to God and His Great Commission -- let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus His Son, let us be His true ambassadors and seek and save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10).
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