Ambassadors for Christ

This summer, nations the world over will descend upon London for the Olympics.  Every nation will fly its flag and proudly display its colors on the world's stage.  Athletes will wear distinct uniforms and, while a part of their respective teams, they will represent their country in various athletic events.  But it is not only when competing that the athletes will be seen as ambassadors for their nations.  Perhaps even more so, when the competitors are away from the field they represent something more: they are Olympians representing their country, and they will need to behave in a manner fitting such an honor.


In a similar way, Christians represent Kingdom of the Lord Almighty.  And, particularly outside of the confines of the church building, believers will be constantly critiqued and criticized for how well or how poorly they behave in a manner befitting such a high honor.


The term apostle, though often associated with a position or people of the early church, is translated as a messenger, ambassador, or envoy that represents another.  In this sense, every Christian, to an extent, performs the task of the apostle, acting on behalf of Christ as an ambassador bringing the Gospel to the world and representing the King of Kings.


Because of this, we can understand more fully what Paul means when he exhorts believers to live lives "in a manner that is worthy of the calling (Eph. 4:5-16)," and to "walk in wisdom to outsiders (Col. 4:5-6)."  Christians are thus to recognize that we are ambassadors, representatives of the Lord to the unbeliever and we need to live in a way that reverently corresponds as such.


Practically speaking, Paul indicates that the manner of life that is worthy is one of humility, graciousness, patience, selflessness, truth in speech and deed, endurance, wisdom, and unity in community (Eph. 4:1-16; Phil. 1:27-30; Col. 1:10, 4:5-6).  To be sure, the worthy manner of life can be summarized in and fulfilled by love.


Christians, then, are quite like Olympians for the Lord: running an endurance race of faithfulness in a foreign world, representing our King at all times.  In this, let us then run the race with devotion and perseverance in the manner of our great champion, Jesus, to win the prize from our King in the end (1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:14; Heb. 12:1-2).  And let us always give thanks and praise to God that He would call us to be His ambassadors in this fallen world!