Devotionals

We are ambassadors for Christ

by Susan Barnes 
11/07/20
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“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Sportspeople are often called ambassadors, which is why it bothers me when I see Australian sportspeople behaving badly on the world stage. Tennis players who destroy their racquets, cricket players who cheat, basketball players who get into a brawl. I want to tell the watching world, “Don’t judge Australia by our sporting stars.”

A better example is a political ambassador who is chosen to represent their countries and speak to others on behalf of their government. The privileges given to an ambassador aren’t based on their merits, but rather on the merits of the country they represent. It isn’t a license to do whatever they please. The ambassador is representing their country and hopes others will show respect and be mindful of their country’s wishes. An ambassador won’t achieve this if they abuse their privileges.

We’re probably not going to destroy tennis racquets or get into a public brawl. However, are we representing God well? Like political ambassadors, we are given many privileges as children of God. These aren’t given to us on our merit but on Jesus’ merit. As ambassadors, we represent God and desire to give people a good impression of God’s kingdom.

We’re ambassadors, showing the world the blessing of living God’s ways. Do people notice our lives are different because they are characterized by love, joy, peace, hope?  Or does the watching world, think Christians are only interested in ritual, routines and rule-keeping?