In 2 Corinthians 5:20‬ (‭ESV)‬‬ we read, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? What do ambassadors for Christ do? How does this apply to our lives today? 

Ambassadors In Bible Times

Back in the days of Jesus, a king or emperor would conquer lands and send one of his ambassadors to set up the government in this new territory. The ambassador was expected to make everything in this new territory look and feel just like the capital of the kingdom. This way, when the king or the emperor came to visit, he felt at home. The land no longer felt foreign to the king; instead, it felt like home, just like the rest of the kingdom. 

The people of this newly conquered territory lost their unique identity. They took on the identity of the kingdom, be it Rome, Greece, or any other kingdom. They were expected to sound and act just like the rest of the citizens of that empire. Whatever laws were in effect in the new mother nation also applied to this newly conquered territory. It didn’t matter what the previous laws were; they were now considered invalid. 

Ambassadors In Today’s Time

Today we still have ambassadors. Their job is different from the ambassadors of Bible times. Still, their jobs are important. Today, ambassadors live in a foreign country. They no longer make the foreign country look and feel like the home country. Instead, their job is to, “promote international relations on certain areas of government, such as trade, military involvement, and cultural relationships.” (What Does an Ambassador Do?) They keep a close eye on the political and economic developments occurring in the foreign nation they live in.

They act as a representative of their home nation to the leaders of their host nation. Ambassadors are supposed to say the things the leader of their home countries would say in any given situation to the leaders of this foreign nation. Their main job is to, “try to smooth out the relationship between countries.”  (What Does an Ambassador Do?) They are like peacemakers between their home country and host country. If/when things go awry in their host nation, they help to evacuate refugees. They work to get the citizens of their home country, who are in the host country, out of the host country. They act as protectors to both their fellow citizens and any refugees they are working to evacuate. 

What does all this mean? How are we to take on the role of Jesus’ ambassador? 

We Are Citizens Of Heaven

First, we always remember we are citizens of Heaven. We are like modern day ambassadors, living in a foreign world. Although we physically still live in this world, we are also a part of God’s family and as such hold a citizenship card to live in his world. “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭(NASB2020‬‬). As citizens of Heaven, we live a life that represents where we come from. We show those around us what our home is like, and we cultivate our earthly homes to be like our homes in Heaven. 

We Cultivate A Heavenly Atmosphere

Secondly, we cultivate an atmosphere that is a representation of our true home. How do we do this? We pray and ask God to show us what it’s like in Heaven. Then we ask him to make things happen on earth just like they happen in heaven. This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬). It is up to us to help earth look like heaven, and we can only do this through prayer. So let’s all pray for God to show us how to make things happen here just like they do in heaven!

We Keep Our Eyes Open

Next, we, like modern day ambassadors, must keep an eye on the developments happening in this world. We need spiritual eyes and ears to discern what is really going on. We recognize things aren’t always as they appear. Knowing what is going on in our home country, Heaven, is a must. Then we will have the ability to see the truth when things happen around us. We will see the evil agenda our enemy is trying to impose on us, and we will be able to stand firm in the truth and resist becoming prisoners of war. At the same time, we will be able to see the “refugees” around us. We will know how to help them, how to protect them, and show them how to become citizens of our home. 

We Are A Reflection Of Jesus

Lastly, just like the ambassadors of Bible times, we recognize we are the reflection of Jesus to a lost world. When people look at us they see who Jesus is. Our job is to make everything about us become just like Jesus. As a result, Jesus is at home living inside us because we have taken on his identity and have given up our old, false identity. Unlike the nations who were conquered in Bible times, we get to keep the things about us that make us unique. In fact, when we live in our true identity, we find we become more and more unique. We see the uniqueness of those around us and find ourselves trying to draw out their uniqueness because it is truly who they are. 

Our Job Is Important

Our job as ambassadors is an important and much needed job. We are the representation of Jesus to a world that doesn’t know anything about him. Sure, they may know he is a good guy who lived a long time ago, but they may not have a clue who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God. He came as 100% human and 100% God to live a perfect life. Then he willingly allowed the very people he created to beat him until he was unrecognizable and hang him on a cross. It was painful. It was cruel. Yet, he did this so he could rise to life three days later. In doing this, he conquered death. 

He now offers you the opportunity to become citizens in his kingdom.  All you have to do is believe in your heart that Jesus is who he says he is, and he did all that is written about him in the Bible. You surrender your life and service to the King of kings. Then you have the privilege of becoming an ambassador and doing all the things we’ve talked about. You get to be the bringer of heaven to earth. It’s the most amazing and rewarding job you will ever have! 

Prayer

Lord, today I choose to be your ambassador. I choose to make the environment around me look like Heaven. Please reveal to me what it looks like in Heaven, what it feels like in Heaven, and what sort of atmosphere you would like me to cultivate. I choose love and joy and peace today, for myself and for my household. I choose your goodness and your mercy and your grace to flow over me and around me. I receive your forgiveness and declare you as Lord over my life. In your presence I am most fulfilled, and upon your path for my life am I most satisfied.

I love you, O Lord, my strength. You are my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon you, Lord, for you are worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my spiritual enemies. I bless you, Lord, and worship you today. In Jesus’ name, amen!