Ambassadors for Christ

II Corinthians 5:20-6:13

When an ambassador is sent out, he represents the Government of the country. Any agreement he enters is considered as approved by the those he represents. He has been entrusted with accurately portraying the wishes and protecting the interests of those he represents. He is their personal spokesperson. It is almost the same as speaking to the leader himself.

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (II Corinthians 5:20-21)

An ambassador is assumed to be working with those he represents to accomplish a particular goal. As a token of good intent Israel may withdraw troops from a part of Gaza for example, in exchange for assurances that the Palestinians will stop firing missiles into Israel. Should the Palestinians fail to cease firing after the withdrawal, or to refuse to continue until the problems are resolved will make the withdrawal a vain effort. It failed to accomplish it‘s purpose. Jesus Christ has already paid for sins. To reject it makes his death in vain for the one who rejects it. Action needs to be taken promptly. To fail to go on into the spiritual life also makes most of what God offers worthless. Get the full benefit.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) “ (II Corinthians 6:1-2)

An ambassador, to establish trust in those he is dealing with, must demonstrate respect for their customs, laws and procedures. Failure to do so implies that any agreement he makes will be ignored as soon as he has received his desired results. This is exactly why Paul stressed that one must never impose ones standards on others in I Corinthians 8-11. Our standards must never be allowed to hinder others. The spiritual man realizes that the Christian life is not about those physical things. Notice Paul’s description.

“Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Corinthians 6:3-10)

Living in such a way that it is apparent that needs and desires of those he is trying reach will be respected, the ambassador builds trust, and removes reasons for rejecting the agreement. Paul has made sure that there is nothing in his life that causes distrust. No emphasis on personal benefit, or self promotion has been seen. It is not Paul or his associates actions holding back the Corinthians from full spiritual development. But their desire for fleshly things. To attain all that God wants to do in their lives, they must let him have his way.

"O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.” (II Corinthians 6:11-13)