Ambassadors of Christ
by Rev. Allan McQuarrie
edited by D. Gander
Recently, a terrorist group planted a bomb in the capital of Argentina which killed and maimed many innocent people. After an investigation into the incident, the government has laid blame for the bombing with the Iranian embassy. The ambassador and embassy staff are accused of terrorist activity and are now being sought.
The ambassador to Argentina from Iran represents what a poor ambassador is. Today in our political and diplomatic world the role and function of an ambassador is extremely important. An ambassador has the job of being the representative of a higher authority. They are literally the physical representation of another authority. Wherever they go, to those they live among they are the government itself. What they say and how they act reflect the position of the one they serve; there are no exceptions. If they act or talk out of line it reflects not on them but on the authority they embody.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Cor. 5:20). It doesn't matter if we have been a Christian for 30 years or 20 minutes, the fact is that we individually and equally represent Jesus Christ to this world.
We are, by the fact of our regenerated state, a representative of Christ with all the expectations and responsibilities that go along with it. A new Christian may not understand as much of the demands of honouring Christ as a more mature believer might, but for what they do know they are equally accountable.
Paul tells us that Christ is making His appeal through us. What a great task He has entrusted to us, for which not even the angels of heaven have been called upon. The question then must be asked, have you been a faithful representation of the Holiness of Jesus Christ today?
The reason the Holy Spirit convicts us is to cause us to seek after such a disposition. Why then do so many Christians maintain such a critical nature? Someday each of us who profess Christ will have to answer for how we represented Him while here on earth; none will be blameless yet many will mourn. As an ambassador, make sure that today you are living a life "holy and acceptable before God". In a world of false religions and misconceptions of who Jesus Christ is, it is imperative that we are properly representing the One to Whom we belong.
But where do we find out how to act? From reading the Bible, the text book of Christian living and the means by which we understand who God is and how He operates. Unless we study the Word of God we can never be a proper ambassador for Christ.
edited by D. Gander
Recently, a terrorist group planted a bomb in the capital of Argentina which killed and maimed many innocent people. After an investigation into the incident, the government has laid blame for the bombing with the Iranian embassy. The ambassador and embassy staff are accused of terrorist activity and are now being sought.
The ambassador to Argentina from Iran represents what a poor ambassador is. Today in our political and diplomatic world the role and function of an ambassador is extremely important. An ambassador has the job of being the representative of a higher authority. They are literally the physical representation of another authority. Wherever they go, to those they live among they are the government itself. What they say and how they act reflect the position of the one they serve; there are no exceptions. If they act or talk out of line it reflects not on them but on the authority they embody.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2 Cor. 5:20). It doesn't matter if we have been a Christian for 30 years or 20 minutes, the fact is that we individually and equally represent Jesus Christ to this world.
We are, by the fact of our regenerated state, a representative of Christ with all the expectations and responsibilities that go along with it. A new Christian may not understand as much of the demands of honouring Christ as a more mature believer might, but for what they do know they are equally accountable.
Paul tells us that Christ is making His appeal through us. What a great task He has entrusted to us, for which not even the angels of heaven have been called upon. The question then must be asked, have you been a faithful representation of the Holiness of Jesus Christ today?
The reason the Holy Spirit convicts us is to cause us to seek after such a disposition. Why then do so many Christians maintain such a critical nature? Someday each of us who profess Christ will have to answer for how we represented Him while here on earth; none will be blameless yet many will mourn. As an ambassador, make sure that today you are living a life "holy and acceptable before God". In a world of false religions and misconceptions of who Jesus Christ is, it is imperative that we are properly representing the One to Whom we belong.
But where do we find out how to act? From reading the Bible, the text book of Christian living and the means by which we understand who God is and how He operates. Unless we study the Word of God we can never be a proper ambassador for Christ.
