“Now
then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we
implore you on Christ’s behalf,
be reconciled to God.” 1
Corinthians 5:20
Do you know what an ambassador is? And ambassador is one who lives in a country
that is not his own to represent the one he is from. If you are a Christian, the Bible says you
have been called to be an Ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ. You have been bought at a price, you are not
your own, you belong to God.
People often identify themselves by where they are
from. We take pride in the state or
country we are from. We fly their flags
in our yards and wear their colors on our clothing. Christ-followers should unashamedly identify ourselves with Christ.
Someone recently asked me why Christians aren’t having more of an impact on society. This wonderful lady was concerned with the spiritual and moral decline we are witnessing here in America. “How can this be?" She asked. My answer comes in the form of another question, “Could it be that we who follow Christ have forgotten that we are to live as Ambassadors for Christ?”
Someone recently asked me why Christians aren’t having more of an impact on society. This wonderful lady was concerned with the spiritual and moral decline we are witnessing here in America. “How can this be?" She asked. My answer comes in the form of another question, “Could it be that we who follow Christ have forgotten that we are to live as Ambassadors for Christ?”
Think about what it means to be an ambassador. An ambassador must live in one society, while
never forgetting that he/she is from another. They are to live their lives without conforming. It is their difference that makes the difference.
I joined a group of twelve on a mission trip to the Far East. Five of us were over 6 feet tall. This was significant since we
were in a country where the average male is just above 5 feet. Everywhere we went people stared. For the first time I understood what it meant
to really stick out in a crowd. Not only
did our height make us stand out, but so did our mannerisms. We were from a different culture. Those differences gave us opportunities to
share the love and message of Christ. It
was our difference that made the difference.
If you are a Christian, then you are an Ambassador so…
1. Dare to be
Different
Romans 12: 1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.”
We are creatures of conformity. We want to fit in. The great preacher Adrian Rogers used to say,
“We are twice born people living in a world of the once born.” As a follower of Jesus you have been born again, not of the flesh but of the
Spirit.
You will never fit in. This
is why we need the fellowship of other believers –the local church. In the fellowship of the local church we encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and spur each other to demonstrate the difference Christ has made in our lives.
2. Honor the
Lord in all your Actions
Colossians 3: 23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
reward of the inheritance; for
you serve the Lord Christ.”
If you strive to honor the Lord in all your
actions, believe me, you will stick out.
3. Look for
Opportunities
Acts 17: 23, “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you”
The Apostle Paul took advantage of every opportunity to show
others the love of Jesus and give them the message of eternal life. Open your eyes to the possibilities that are
around you everyday to share the difference that Jesus can make in a person’s
life.
Jesus prayed, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You
should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just
as I am not of the world” (John 17: 15-16). We are called to be salt and light in a world
that has lost its flavor and is full of darkness. Friend, take up your rightful position as an
Ambassador for Christ and show the difference.
Pray
this prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
In your wisdom, you have called your children to be
different. Help me today to see my
family, my friend, my community, my co-workers, my nation through the eyes of a
missionary. Give me the strength and
wisdom I need to be your ambassador right here and right now.
In the Name of Jesus my Savior,
Amen.”
