Who is an Ambassador of Christ?

An ambassador is an best described as a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment. The word is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavor.

 

Christians are God’s ambassadors in that they have been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). As we go through this world, we represent another Kingdom (John 18:36), and it is our responsibility to reflect the “official position” of heaven. We are in this world, but not of it (John 17:16). God’s ambassadors are to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must take the message of our King to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), imploring men and women everywhere to be reconciled to God.

Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20, saying “we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

When you give your life to God, you become a member of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible says that we are at that moment "translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son." So, for the rest of your time here on earth, you're not just here for your own plans or interests, but you're representing Heaven to everyone around you. As a matter of fact, you're the only real sample of Heaven most people will ever see. What they'll know about God's working in peoples' lives, they'll get from watching YOUR life. It also means you're not limited to your resources because you're not out there representing yourself. Since you're representing God's government and HIS abilities, you have access to all the best that He has to offer. Remember, your whole mission is to give people a sample of what it is to have God at work in a person's life.

 

Ambassadors come from different backgrounds and they have different personalities. Still, they must develop and refine several personality traits and character virtues to be successful. This is similar to how we must develop as ambassadors for Christ so that we will be equipped for our future roles in the kingdom.

Finally, an ambassador of Christ believes in the mission, goals, and values of Christ whom they represent, and they're willing to share it with others. We are called to be strangers in this world not to blend in, but to proudly represent and advocate Christ within our countries, communities, and businesses as well as we possibly can. God has entrusted us to be ambassadors. To point people back to Jesus and how he works in the world, and walk as Jesus walked on this earth. God has given us this right and ability to do so; so let us walk out in it!