‘Our citizenship is in heaven.’ Philippians 3:20 NIV
Let’s recap. As an ambassador, you must have the following qualifications and characteristics:
1) Be a citizen of the country you represent. ‘Our citizenship is in heaven.’
2) Your character and conduct must reflect the highest values of your country. ‘That our God may make you worthy of his calling’ (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV).
3) You must be equipped for the job. ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV).
4) You must be loyal to your country. Now, let’s look at two more qualifications:
5) An ambassador must be an effective communicator. The best ambassadors are bilingual; they speak and understand the language of those around them. Can you do that? In order to have the right answer, you must understand the question, the questioner, and where they’re coming from. The Bible says, ‘If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way’ (1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT). Note the words ‘always be ready’.
6) An ambassador must be a good diplomat. Ambassadors are most effective when they’re winsome as they go about their work. You wouldn’t want someone representing your country who was arrogant and abrasive in dealing with others. Jesus said, ‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35 NKJV).
Our message is the gospel, and our strategy is love! What’s our message? ‘We are therefore 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 NIVUK).
Or Put it another way
As a Christ ambassador, the role holds deep significance for Christians today. Let’s explore the relevance and meaning of this title in light of the mentioned Bible verses: Philippians 3:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 1 Peter 3:15-16, John 13:35, and 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Philippians 3:20 (NIV) states, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse reminds us that as followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to the heavenly kingdom. As Christ ambassadors, we represent the values, teachings, and love of our heavenly citizenship to the world.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 encourages us to pray that God may make us worthy of His calling and fulfill every good purpose of ours. As ambassadors, we are called to live out the purposes God has for us and be agents of positive change in the world. Our lives should reflect God’s goodness and bring glory to His name.
In 1 Peter 3:15-16, we are instructed to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have. As ambassadors, we have the responsibility to share the message of hope and salvation found in Christ. Our lives should exhibit the hope, joy, and peace that come from a relationship with Him.
John 13:35 highlights the importance of love among believers. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” As Christ ambassadors, we are called to embody Christ’s love in our relationships with fellow believers and with the world. Our love should be a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:20 declares, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” This verse emphasizes our role as representatives of Christ on earth. We are entrusted with the mission of reconciling people to God and sharing His message of salvation. Our words, actions, and attitudes should draw people closer to Him.
In summary, being a Christ ambassador today means representing the heavenly kingdom, fulfilling God’s purposes, sharing the message of hope, demonstrating love among believers, and being agents of reconciliation. As Christ’s representatives, we have the privilege and responsibility to reflect His character and bring others into a relationship with Him. May we embrace this calling and strive to make a positive impact in the world around us, guided by the wisdom and teachings of the Scriptures.
