What comes to mind when you think of an ambassador? An ambassador is the official representative of a sovereign or a state. As the official representative, the ambassador reflects the character of the sovereign or state to others; this is a great privilege and a great responsibility. Consider the characteristics of an ambassador:

Ambassadors speak for their country, it is not their message.
Ambassadors are entrusted to communicate their sovereign’s message faithfully and clearly.
Ambassadors are foreigners in a foreign land.
The country of the ambassador is judged by the actions of the ambassador.

The Apostle Paul describes Jesus’ followers as His ambassadors. First, he describes the identity of His ambassadors,

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Christ’s ambassadors must be men and women who have been transformed from the inside-out. God has placed within them His Spirit and has equipped them for a special mission,

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, 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. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

This passage points out the reason why ambassadors are needed. Relationships may lead to misunderstandings and alienation at times. An ambassador is the person who can rectify the misunderstandings and heal the relationship. Paul declares that we have been reconciled to God through Christ and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. The word for “reconcile” comes from a root word that implies change and this word denotes the changing of a relationship from enmity to friendship.

Our English word “reconcile” comes from the Latin word reconcilare which means to bring together. We often think of reconciliation in the context of interpersonal relationships, but there is an even greater separation, and that is the gap between mankind and a holy and righteous God.

How was reconciliation accomplished? God took the initiative, even when we were sinners, by sending His Son – Jesus. It is significant to note that the Apostle Paul never speaks of God being reconciled to men, but always of men being reconciled to God.

Those who have been reconciled to God have been given the privilege of being His ambassadors. The result of being reconciled to God is that we may have His righteousness.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

May our hearts be filled with gratitude that He has reconciled us to God through the cross of Jesus and let us fulfill our responsibility as ambassadors for His glory.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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