Being an ambassador for Christ means being a representative of Jesus Christ and living according to His teachings and example. As Christians, we are called to be Christ’s ambassadors and share the message of salvation with others (2 Corinthians 5:20). This article will explore in detail what the Bible says about being an ambassador for Christ and how we can live that out practically.
Reflecting Christ’s Character
One key aspect of being an ambassador for Christ is reflecting His character in our own lives. As representatives of Jesus, we must demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, humility, integrity, and wisdom (Galatians 5:22-23). This means pursuing godly character, thought patterns, speech, and behavior in our day-to-day lives. Practically, this involves reading God’s Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, practicing spiritual disciplines, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). As we grow in godly character, we will shine as lights in the world and point others to Jesus (Matthew 5:16).
Living According to God’s Principles
In addition to reflecting Christlike character, being an ambassador for Christ means living according to God’s principles and standards as laid out in the Bible. We are called to pursue righteousness, honesty, morality, justice, generosity, and other virtues that align with God’s commands (Philippians 4:8). This means rejecting sinful behaviors and attitudes that go against God’s instructions for holy living. Practically, ambassadors for Christ must read and obey God’s Word, rely on the Spirit’s guidance for difficult decisions, and surround themselves with wise, godly counsel (Proverbs 11:14). As we live uprightly according to God’s principles, our lives will point others to our perfect Father in heaven (Matthew 5:48).
Fulfilling Christ’s Mission
As Christ’s representatives on earth, we are also called to fulfill the mission He gave His followers. Jesus commanded us to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands (Matthew 28:19-20). This means we must be actively sharing the Gospel message with unbelievers in our sphere of influence, whether through personal evangelism, community service, workplace ministry, or world missions. We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation and must compel others to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Our role is to plant and water spiritual seeds through acts of love and the proclamation of the Gospel, trusting God to bring about the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Demonstrating Christ’s Love
One of the most important ways ambassadors for Christ carry out His mission is by demonstrating unconditional love. Jesus said others would know we are His disciples by our love for one another and commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves (John 13:35, Matthew 22:37-39). As Christ’s representatives, we must exhibit love in our words, attitudes, and actions toward others – even those who oppose or persecute us. This involves compassionately serving those in need, forgiving others freely, showing hospitality, advocating for justice, and considering others’ interests above our own (Philippians 2:3-4). When we love unconditionally, we reflect God’s grace and point people to the perfect love of Christ.
Being Christ’s Mouthpiece
A key responsibility of an ambassador is accurately representing the one who sent them. As Christ’s ambassadors, we have the privilege of being Jesus’ mouthpiece to the world around us. While our primary message is the Gospel, we also have the opportunity to reflect godly perspectives on current issues when appropriate. This allows us to be salt and light that counteracts sinful cultural trends and points people to godly values (Matthew 5:13-16). When interacting with others, we must speak carefully, gently, and truthfully as though Christ Himself were speaking through us (Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 4:6). We are His representatives, so must take care to convey His messages faithfully and graciously.
Pointing People to Christ
Ultimately, everything we do as ambassadors should point people to Jesus Christ. He must increase, while we decrease (John 3:30). This means the focus should never be on us and our abilities, but on the One we represent. As the apostle Paul said, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Practically, this requires humility, servanthood, and an others-focused mindset in all we do. Our words and actions should spur curiosity about the Jesus we serve rather than admiration for ourselves. By keeping Christ at the center, we can effectively accomplish our role as His ambassadors.
Being Ready to Explain Our Hope
Because ambassadors represent someone of great importance, people will be curious about their leader. As ambassadors for Christ, we must be ready to satisfy people’s curiosity about our great God. The apostle Peter instructs believers, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). This means making time to study the Bible so we can accurately explain biblical doctrine when asked. We should also be ready to share personal stories of God’s work in our lives that illustrate His love, grace, and saving power. When we are prepared to explain our hope in Christ, we can lead others to salvation (Romans 10:14-15).
Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare
Since the world is opposed to Christ, serving as His ambassadors inevitably involves spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul described believers’ struggle not against flesh and blood but against demonic forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). As ambassadors, we will face temptation, accusation, deception, and persecution engineered by the enemy of our souls. But God has equipped us with His full armor so that we can stand firm when attacks come (Ephesians 6:10-18). Some practical ways we can stand strong are putting on the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel of Peace shoes, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Through courageous faith in God’s power and provision, we can overcome the enemy’s schemes.
Being Free Yet Representing a Kingdom
An interesting tension of being Christ’s ambassadors is that we have been set free yet represent a kingdom that is not of this world. Through faith in Jesus, we have been liberated from slavery to sin, death, and the law (John 8:32, Romans 6:22, Galatians 5:1). Yet we serve as emissaries of Christ’s kingdom which operates by very different values than earthly ones (Matthew 6:33, John 18:36). This means we strive to live out godly principles and obey King Jesus wholeheartedly, while enjoying the freedom, joy, and spiritual riches He provides. We reside temporarily in this fallen world, but function as ambassadors of the coming kingdom (Hebrews 11:13-16). This unique dynamic allows us to influence people for Christ.
Being Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Attempting to represent Christ in our own limited strength is destined for failure and burnout. Thankfully, God has given believers the Holy Spirit who empowers us to fulfill our role as ambassadors. The Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts, convicts the world of sin, testifies of Christ, guides us into truth, comforts us in sorrow, produces spiritual fruit in our lives, and helps us in prayer (John 14:26, John 15:26, Romans 8:26). As we walk in step with the Spirit through practices like worship, prayer, study, listening, and obedience, He enables us to carry out our mission faithfully and with great impact (Galatians 5:25). Relying on the Spirit’s power is essential for ambassadorship.
Being Willing to Suffer for Christ
Carrying out our role as ambassadors inevitably involves suffering. As Christ suffered hatred, mockery, betrayal, persecution, and death on the cross for us, we are called to take up our cross and suffer for Him in smaller ways (Matthew 10:24-25). This includes being mocked or ostracized for our faith, losing relationships or career opportunities to follow Christ unswervingly, and facing harsh persecution or even martyrdom in some contexts. Yet we can rejoice when we suffer for the sake of representing Christ, because God promises us eternal rewards for our temporary struggles (Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:12). Only through the lens of eternity will we understand the immense value of present sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Being Distinct Yet Engaged with the World
Because we now belong to God’s kingdom, ambassadors for Christ will seem distinct and even strange to the surrounding culture at times. We are called to be holy as God is holy which means being set apart from the sinful ways of the world (1 Peter 1:15-16). Our different values, behaviors, and beliefs should cause people to ask questions. Yet we must avoid isolating ourselves entirely or being so out of touch with society that we cannot relate to others. Jesus wants us to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-18). This means striking a careful balance between immersing ourselves in culture for the purpose of ministry while avoiding compromise with sinful values and practices.
Representing Christ Well in Weakness
Despite our best efforts, we will sometimes fail as ambassadors due to our lingering sinfulness and limitations. When we stumble, it is important to humbly repent, receive God’s forgiveness, learn from mistakes, and move forward in representing Christ again. Our human frailty highlights God’s patient grace toward us and the perfection of His Son. By admitting fault and seeking restoration when necessary, we can still point people to Christ despite our periodic blunders. God assures us that His “power is made perfect in weakness” as we rely wholly on Him rather than ourselves (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even our failures can be used when we respond rightly.
Looking Forward to Our Eternal Reward
As we seek to faithfully represent Christ on earth, we can look forward to our eternal home in heaven. Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven” and we eagerly await our Savior to return and “transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). The trials we face as ambassadors are momentary compared to the coming glory of unbroken fellowship with Christ (2 Corinthians 4:17). Looking expectantly toward our heavenly reward motivates us to serve diligently now. One day we will exchange our role as ambassadors for the far greater privilege of seeing our King face-to-face and enjoying Him forever.
Summary of being an ambassador for Christ
In summary, being an ambassador for Christ means:
- Reflecting Christ’s character in our lives
- Living according to God’s principles and commands
- Fulfilling the mission of making disciples
- Demonstrating unconditional Christlike love
- Being Jesus’ mouthpiece and representing Him accurately
- Pointing people to Christ in all we do
- Being ready to explain our faith in Christ
- Standing firm in spiritual warfare against evil
- Enjoying kingdom freedom yet obedience as representatives
- Relying on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment
- Being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ
- Maintaining holy distinctness yet cultural engagement
- Admitting weaknesses and failures while still representing Christ
- Eagerly anticipating our future reward with Christ
As ambassadors for Christ, we have the immense privilege of representing the King of kings. While it involves great responsibility, God promises to equip us to faithfully share the message of hope and reconciliation with the world.
