Ambassadors of God
II Corinthians 5:14-21

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ" (v. 20). Every Christian is a royal ambassador for the King of Kings. He must live up to the high calling of his office.

An ambassador is appointed by the governmental head of a country. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16). Astounding that God should choose such ordinary individuals as we are to be His ambassadors. What dignity!

Ambassadors are sent to a foreign, often unfriendly, country. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). Travelers in a foreign country must remember they are not at home and deserving of comfort. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through" is every Christian's theme song, for we are "strangers and pilgrims" (I Pet. 2: 11 ).

It is essential that an ambassador be on good behavior. Christians are to "have a good report of them that are without" (1 Tim. 3:7). "To win some, you must be winsome."

Ambassadors keep in close touch with their home country. "He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John 15:5). An ambassador of God must be in daily communion with the Lord for fresh instructions.

The ambassador is to reconcile and establish good relations between the peoples of the two lands. What an enormous undertaking for God's ambassadors to beseech men "in Christ's stead" to be "reconciled to God" (II Cor. 5:20). "The most gigantic undertaking God has laid out for the Christian is to lead lost souls to Jesus Christ" (Scarborough). The ambassador is confident and encouraged because he has the power and authority of his government behind him (Matt. 28: 19-20).

We are to carry out the purpose and give the message for which we are sent. How was the Lord Jesus sent? "To seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). So must a good ambassador do "in Christ's stead" (II Cor. 5:20), to whom Christ commits the "word of reconciliation'' (v. 19).