“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20a
Jesus was a storyteller. Stories paint a word picture for us that help us better remember an idea, event, person or teaching. The ideas in this blog have helped generations of men I’ve taught, better understand their role in the kingdom of God on earth. Consider retelling this “story” to your children or grandchildren. The two primary tasks of an ambassador are these; to advance the interests of the country that sent him/her and conduct themselves personally in such a way as to be a credit to their country. Ambassadors know they are aliens in a foreign land, and they’re only on temporary assignment and in many cases their assigned country is dangerous.
So an ambassador from the U.S. to Switzerland for example, wakes up every morning knowing that his purpose that day and every day is to carry out the mission assigned to him, until his government recalls him. He or she serves “at the pleasure of the president.” And, of course, there are opportunities to relax, see the sights and enjoy the culture, but those are secondary to an ambassador’s mission.
A few blocks away a tourist from the U.S. is waking up and his only reason to be in Switzerland is enjoying himself. Like the ambassador, he’s patriotic, thankful for being an American and all the rights that citizenship brings him. However, he plans his day around good food, shopping, sightseeing and in general killing time pleasantly.
So, here we have two Americans temporarily living in the same country and city, but with two completely different purposes for being there. So here’s the application for Christians.
A Christian Ambassador The primary purpose for the life of a Christian ambassador and a true follower of Jesus is to love and serve God, and make life better for others, even at great cost to ourselves and to advance the interests of the kingdom of God. Everything else is secondary.
Before secular ambassadors are sent out, I’m told they receive extensive training and are given policy books on everything from trade to defense and they are instructed to know every policy thoroughly. Their personal opinions really don’t matter. The only latitude they’re given is in the implementation of these policies.
Similarly, Christian ambassadors must have a good working knowledge of God’s policy book, the Bible. Their goal is to know it so well that when they speak, they are confident they’re faithfully representing the policies and the interests of the kingdom of God.
A day in the life of a Christian ambassador What might a typical day look like for a Christian ambassador? It means getting up each day intent on being good and doing good to everyone. And that involves going to the policy book often and talking to God seeking wisdom and direction from him and other ambassadors we respect, daily before you begin your mission that day.
Then perhaps your day begins with a prompting from God to say something kind to a step-father you’ve not yet grown to love – a refusal to make exaggerated claims about your company’s products or services, being kind to a new kid at school – having a cup of coffee with a neighbor who’s made some sinful choices – speaking respectfully about and to, a very controlling parent – refusing to laugh at a filthy, or racist story or join in gossiping about another person and introducing a co-worker to the Jesus you love.
On a larger scale, and often working in concert with fellow ambassadors and even non-Christians, it means that where there are unjust laws, we work to have them repealed. Where there is conflict, we attempt to be peacemakers. Where there is poverty we work with others to end it wherever and whenever we can. When we see racial injustice we speak out and act against it. When pollution threatens a stream we work to stop it and clean it up. An ambassador acts with virtue and integrity, constantly teaching their children and others to love God, love the Bible and love life – everyone’s.
A Christian ambassador is intentionally representing God himself in their world – bringing the goodness of God into ordinary life. It’s a proactive lifestyle of love so compelling and attractive that people who don’t know Jesus will be drawn to you and therefore to him.
Finally, it means living an examined life by asking questions like these; how consumed am I with my own comfort, leisure, hobbies, my social media persona and stuff? Are they really energy and resource leaks distracting me from my true mission? Like weights in a backpack, our need for these things can hinder, even cripple our effectiveness as an ambassador. “Your God” said Martin Luther, “is whatever your heart clings to.”
Christian Tourists There’s a deadly myth prevalent today that there are two classes of those who are truly “born again” – the serious followers of Jesus and the rest of those who call themselves Christians, but actually live more like Christian tourists. Unlike ambassadors, it’s the unspoken goal of Christian tourists to live this life for themselves and their family – preferring to be served, rather than serve.
Christian tourists may attend evangelical churches, be theologically correct, “believe in Jesus”, listen to Christian radio, serve in their church or on ministry boards, and even send their children to Christian schools. They may be forever learning about Jesus, but never fully committing themselves to a life committed to loving and serving him and others. Outside of their “religious culture” the unspoken goal of their lives is to kill time pleasantly. The question is this; “Is a Christian tourist really a Christian at all?”
Here’s the really scary part. Most of you reading this probably agree that most other Christians are tourists, but you, yourself are not. Are you sure?
Ultimately, the litmus test of a true ambassador of Christ is this: Do the people who know you best have a deeper respect for the love, wisdom, and glory of God because of what they see in your life? Are they asking you to introduce them to Jesus? Are they coming to you for advice or mentoring? Does your life make God look good?
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11, 12
Question: Do you think Christians who live like tourists are truly born again?
How following Jesus works in real life.
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