Christian Relationships – Ambassadors of Reconciliation

The dictionary definition of an ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by one country as its official representative to a foreign country.

Ambassadors act as representatives or promoters of a specific activity.

Ambassadors are appointed by their governments to live in foreign countries while maintaining their citizenship in their homelands. Their role is to reflect the official position of the sovereign body that gave them authority.

The question is how does this relate to being a disciple of Jesus?

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul discusses the ministry of reconciliation and uses the term ambassadors for those with whom God has brought reconciliation through Jesus Christ and to whom He has given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20); those who have been reconciled must then become ambassadors of reconciliation. Ambassadors do not represent themselves. They are always on duty to officially represent the country of which they are a citizen. As ambassadors for our King Jesus Christ, we represent Him in this world. In fact, the only impression many people ever get of Christ is what they see in us; we are the fifth Gospel that our world can read! The main point is that broken people who have been healed are then commissioned to go to other broken people and point the way towards reconciliation. I am a living testimony of that!

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  (I Timothy 1:15)

As ambassadors for Jesus, we have been sent by Him to represent Him here on earth as He represents us before the Father in heaven (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Peter 2:12). We have the great privilege of speaking on behalf of him, pleading with people to be reconciled to God through Him. God has entrusted as ambassadors to represent the ministry and the word of reconciliation. This is an incredible privilege granted to us to represent Him here on earth. Hallelujah!

In all we do and all we say, we should strive to be the very best reflection of our Lord who believed enough in us to give us the ministry of reconciliation. In Acts 11:26, the disciples were called Christians because they were reflecting Jesus Christ in all that they did. As long as we live in this world, we should walk with great humility, knowing that God has committed to our trust the Word of reconciliation. No matter where we go or who we see and talk to, we should walk with the dignity associated with one who is an ambassador for Jesus Christ.

We are no more ordinary people. We have been given the ministry of sharing the Gospel of reconciliation with a dying world. We have been given everything we need to proclaim and plead the need to be reconciled to God with any and all we meet (Romans 10:14-15). There is only one way to restore the relationship of peace with God and that is through repenting, accepting the finished, redemptive work of Jesus Christ, believing that God raised Him from the dead, and confessing Him as Lord. Once this is done in the heart, then reconciliation is complete, and an eternal relationship of peace and life is accomplished.

As ambassadors of the heavenly King, we are not allowed to stay shut up in the four walls of the church building, forgetting our mission of reconciling all people with God. Our job is not to stay in the embassy but to go out into the world and take the message of our King to reconcile others with God. There are more than 2 billion people who have not yet heard of the Good News of Jesus. If every ambassador will do their part in sharing about the Prince of Peace, praying for the unreached, and in supporting those who have limited resources, everyone might get an opportunity to hear the Good News and choose to follow Jesus Christ.

The basic mission for all of us as disciples of Jesus is to carry out the mandate given by Him—to be reconciled ourselves as a practical way of witnessing His redemptive work of love for the salvation of humanity. We must remember that reconciliation is God’s initiative to which we respond through His amazing grace of love.

God wants us to represent Him in this world, to respond to the spiritual, relational, emotional, and physical needs of our world. We share the Gospel with people to help them with their most serious needs in life. Everyone needs to hear that God loves them (John 3:16, John 10:10) and that their lives have meaning and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11; John 14). However, because of their sin, they are not able to experience all that God has planned for them (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). The Good News is that they have hope if they are willing to repent of their sin to turn to God. Our loving God is looking and waiting for them, and we need to share this Good News with them and lead them to join the heavenly Kingdom by making Jesus their Savior and Lord.

It is deeply satisfying to help someone come to know and worship their true God. Sharing the Gospel gives us a tremendous sense of significance because we are taking part in the work of eternal worth, sharing in the work of God Himself. God has created us in Jesus Christ to do the work He has designed for us (Ephesians 2:10). That is what it means to be ambassadors of Christ in the world in which we live.  May the Lord use us as His official ambassadors to our generation as we share the message of reconciliation through Jesus Christ with the dying world!

Are we representing Christ well as His official ambassadors in our neighborhoods and work places?

What do I need to change to represent Him well?

We are social beings created to have right relationships both with our Father and with our brothers and sisters around the world. It is a good reminder for us not to forget that our mark as Christ-like disciples is love for one another beyond our localities and denominations. Forgiveness is the other side of the coin of love.

Relationships are restored through forgiveness, and inner healing is completely related with forgiveness too. It is great to allow the Lord to search our hearts and cleanse us from our guilt (Psalm 139:23-24).

When we pray for inner healing, we are really asking God to walk back into the dark places of our lives and bring healing to the distressing and painful memories of the past. Our ambassadorship for the King Jesus will make a difference when we relate with one another and with the societies in which we live.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!