Be His Ambassador, His Representative

        

        Representation or the idea of ambassadorship comes from the installation of dignity, self-worth and responsibility. I believe this begins in the family. If you do not have any dignity or self-worth, what is going to make you feel responsible about representing anything, especially your own family? 

        Lately, there have been several generations that expressed they don't care what or whom they represent. This is a direct consequence of the standard or measure of dignity found within homes today. As I was growing-up, I carried a sense of worth for my own blood family. Wherever I went, whatever I did, whatever I said - I was representing my family and had a desire to represent them well. I have heard it said, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."

        I encourage all of us not to believe the lie that - "It is all about you." As many of us have heard many times, "No man is an island." (John Donne). We are born into a group of people we represent, whether you like it or not - so take ownership of that. We have sports teams that we participate on, we attend universities, hold jobs and sometimes find careers. Within all these everyone is a representative.  

        Taking ambassadorship into the job scene, from the bottom to the top of a company, the employees are spoke-people. We acquire jobs and at times become a spokesperson for them even though we are not in the company's PR department. An employee's job description may not include this detail, however their actions and words will always reflect on the company's decision to hire them. So, wherever you are employed, staying alert to your actions and words is in everybody's best interest because a bad word or action costs everybody - possibly your job and the company's reputation.

        Ever make a really great decision about something in your life? Let us assume you said, "Yes". Did you then tell a few people about your experience in detail? Voila! You are now an ambassador. By definition, an ambassador is an authorized representative. Many times the victories over the situations and challenges we face in life authorizes to speak about that ordeal or victory.

        In Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explained the meaning of ambassador in relation to Christ.

"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,...

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19-20)

        There is a wonderful song that goes - "Oh, how I love, Jesus. Oh, how I love Jesus. Oh, how I love, Jesus. Because He first loved me." This song trumpets the word and concept of being "convinced" in the passage above - "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,".

        If you are in that group that is convinced by the compelling love of Christ Jesus, then you should no longer live for yourself, but for Him who died for you and you should strive to be an excellent steward of the reconciliation message He has committed to us.

        This idea of representing Christ and ambassadorship of His kingdom should be a lifestyle. Thankfully we have the "Life Manual" (The Bible) with the how-to process in representing Christ in this life. 

• Eagerly pursue Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12)
• Practice Love (1 Corinthians 13)
• Live by The Spirit (Galatians 5:13 - 6:10)
• Remain Unified (Ephesians 4:1-16; Demands collaboration)
• Heed the Instruction of Living (Ephesians 4:17-32)

        Indeed, He died for me, I'll live for Him should be our life's mission statement. Such a vow is strongly supported in 1 Peter and Colossians.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 4:10-11

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," - Colossians 3:23

        With phrases like "in all things" and "whatever you do", the ambiguity is non-existent. Christians need to hold everything they do and say accountable to the very real presence of The Lord in their lives. The mentality is different to think of doing everything and going everywhere as if someone is physically standing right there beside you. I am not inclined on a daily basis to think in this manner. However, that is the mindset, attitude and spirit Christians need today. He said He would never leave me or forsake me and I am thankful for His faithfulness. He is by my side no matter the season of life I am traveling through. 

        Whenever humans represent another individual, business, government or the like - usually that means the party we are representing cannot physically be present. The burden then falls hard on The Ambassador of the person, company or nation to reflect the other party accurately. There is no doubt that we have failed miserably at portraying our friend, work, country and God to others in the past. But there is a Helper, especially for presenting Christ to people.

        God's representation method is slightly different from humanity's. With humanity, the represented party is not always present, whereas God is. His Holy Spirit is standing next to others when we witness to a friend, acquaintance, co-worker or stranger. His Holy Spirit is in the crowd when we share our testimony or teach to a gathering about Jesus. His Holy Spirit is hovering over a nation and pricking the hearts and ears when a leader speaks of the grace of Christ The Savior. He is our very present help in time of need. He is someone who will stick closer than a brother. He watches and hears how we represent Jesus and counsels at the same time on how to better mirror Christ's presence and characteristics on earth.

        As God's children and especially His Ambassadors, God says His grace is sufficient for us, His power is made perfect in our weakness and His abundance is a promised benefit of His Salvation Package (2 Cor. 12:9; 2 Cor. 9:8; John 10:10).

        Representing Christ is an awesome responsibility. However, we have help through the Holy Spirit. So, don't stress over appearance or saying the right words at the right time for every situation. The Lord has brought you this far, He will orchestrate and anoint your divine encounters. Scripture helps our efforts out by instructing - "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15). Live, but as you live, be a light to others, displaying Biblically what a "light-filled" life looks like and illuminating the way for others to be convinced of Ambassadorship for Christ.

        As an Ambassador for Christ we carry a message from Him to the world every day and should live a lifestyle that is so attractive people pause to consider the message and lifestyle as their own.

• "The gospel is not habit, but history. The gospel is the declaration of something that actually happened. And since the gospel is the saving work of Jesus, it isn't something we can do, but it is something we must announce. We do live out its implications, but if we are to make the gospel known, we will do so through words." (Ed Stetzer)

        The Christian's lifestyle goal should be to endeavor for all things said and done to line-up for Christ and not live a sporadic, half-committed life. There is no doubt, this is a great challenge, but God promises the rewards are even greater. One of the best quotes I have heard recently is again by Mr. Ed Stetzer. He says, "A Godly life should serve as a witness for the message we proclaim." Paul cried out to the Ephesian believers asking them to pray for him about this very idea. 

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." - Ephesians 6:19-20

        In this vein, I pray for myself and Christians worldwide that we would change our thinking and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be a full-time, effective Ambassador for Christ.

        God is All-Powerful, All-Knowing and Ever-present, so why does He need me? To me, it is not a matter of need, it is a matter of God's Preference and Plan. He has chosen the believer in Christ to be His physical representation extended to each person in each generation on this planet.

        

        There have been instances in my life when I requested the Lord's intervention for someone or a situation. I would pray something like - "Lord, would you reveal yourself to this person? Lord, would you speak to this person or into this situation? Lord, would you act promptly in this issue?" Recently, the Lord has re-emphasized to me - I am His answer in many of these petitions.

            Paul describes the representation a little more intimately. In 1 Corinthians 12:27 he says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." Then in Ephesians 3:6 Paul reveals what he calls the mystery of Christ - "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."

        You put all this together - Promises of Christ, Believers as members of Christ's collective Body on earth, allowing God to use us as His spokesperson - and you have the believer being the conduit for God's answer to many prayer requests. There will be times of direct Godly intervention. But many of the situations and circumstances call for us representing God for we are His body on earth in this era.

        For believers and unbelievers alike, Christ proclaims why we should choose to represent His Kingdom as an Ambassador for His Good News - "Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " (John 14:6) I strongly encourage you, if you have not already, stand with Christ, so you don't fall for anything else.

        I encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - be convinced you are part of a body, know your "part" and take responsibility when Christ instructs you. Receive and operate out of the dignity and self-worth that comes from being associated with the King of kings and His Kingdom. Be His Ambassador, His Representative.