We are ... 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 5:20
My minister recently made what
I thought was a clever and thought-provoking remark in a sermon. Talking about
people who don’t believe, he said that if anyone is an atheist it’s likely to
be for one of two reasons: either (a) they have never met a Christian, or (b)
they have met a Christian.
I’m sure you’ll get the
point. If someone has never met a Christian, either in person or through books,
films or some other way, obviously they can’t be expected to become a Christian
themselves. But sadly, there are occasions when a non-Christian does meet a Christian - and is so completely put off that
they say, “Right - if that’s Christianity, it’s something I can do without,
thank you very much”. Sad indeed.
Paul tells us that “we
are Christ’s ambassadors”. By “we”, strictly
speaking, he means himself and his fellow-apostles, but I don’t think he would
disagree that in a broader sense every Christian is an ambassador for Christ. Once
you are known to be a Christian, people will judge you accordingly.
I remember a story of a test
match cricketer who was well-known as a Christian. On one occasion he touched the
ball to the wicket-keeper (which means, if you don’t know about cricket, that
he was out) but refused to head back to the pavilion. He was, in effect, lying
to the umpire, saying “I didn’t touch that ball”. Whereupon one of the opposing
fielders looked him in the eye and said “I thought you were supposed to be a
Christian?” Not good.
So if you profess to be a
Christian today the question arises, What kind of ambassador am I? - one who truly represents Jesus, or one who just
puts people off?
The main job of an
ambassador is to convey messages from the government they represent to the
government where they are working. So it’s important that they fully understand
what those messages are and can put them across clearly, respectfully and
persuasively.
What does this mean for us?
Very simply, that we need to have a good grasp of our message - the gospel, the
good news, of Jesus crucified for our sins, raised to give us new life, and one
day returning in glory to take us to himself.
Paul sums this message up in
one of the New Testament’s most beautiful words: reconciliation. In just a few verses he repeats that word several
times:
“God...
reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the
world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has
committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We beg you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God” (verses 18-20).
Reconciliation, even just on
a purely human level, is a lovely thing. Think of a couple whose marriage was
falling apart with bitterness and acrimony - and then see them, perhaps after
weeks of painful talking, pledging themselves to one another once again “until
death parts them”. Or the teenage son who just can’t get on with his parents
and storms out of the home - but who returns and makes a new start, with tears
all round. Or two people in a work-place who have long had a tense
relationship, but who have a “clear the air” conversation, and promise to one
another to start again... I could go on for ever!
But how much more wonderful
is the miracle of reconciliation with God.
And this is the heart of the message we Christians have been entrusted with for
our sad and broken world: reconciliation of sinful men and women with
God is possible!
The only problem is that we
might well have the message right - oh yes, we know our Bibles, and we have
been Christians for many years - but still be bad ambassadors.
What if the way
we present the message, or the way we live our lives, or the kind of habits we
have, or the way we come across to other people, leaves them saying “Thanks but
no thanks”?
When an ambassador is appointed
in world diplomacy they have to show their credentials - official letters to
say that they are indeed the mouth-piece of their government. We too need to
have clear credentials in order to be Christ’s ambassadors.
And what are those
credentials? Simple: a blameless, holy and Christlike life.
Lord God, help me
please to be a true ambassador for Jesus Christ today. Amen.
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