An ambassador is any authorised representative of a country, church or organisation. He may be likened to a salesman. The way and manner he represents his master, business or organisation, to a very great extent, determines the level of acceptance he experiences from his customers and of course, the level of patronage and success in his trade. Ambassadors are like models.
If they change their posture, they both misrepresent their country and misdirect all those relying on them.
The lord our God is not just looking for representatives but loyal, truthful, reliable and very tenacious ones to lift high the banner of the heavens not only to greater heights, but in such a way to attract the thirsty hearts for salvation.
A true ambassador therefore, must live very transparent life worthy of emulation and free from all possible accusations from the devil and his cohorts.
The ambassador of Christ are the citizens of heaven and need always to remain as the true representatives of heaven on earth, on daily basis. A good ambassador of Christ would not only be loved and respected on earth, but also be immensely rewarded by his master on the last day.
WHO IS AN AMBASSADOR?
Literally, an ambassador is a citizen of a country sent to represent his country in another country. He is thus, a chosen one assigned with the responsibilities of keeping and spreading the interest of his country which he represents in an acceptable manner as instructed him. An ambassador is a human being and thus, has his likes and dislikes, personal goals, objectives and aspirations but restricts himself and personal interests to that of his country. Thus, all personal interests conflicting against his country's must be jettisoned.
The ambassador guides the utterances and conducts, to ensure he does not misrepresent his nation. He is the voice of his nation in the foreign land and his actions are backed by his country. He needs therefore to get clearance from his home country over any issue he is not clear about. In like manner, believers are ambassadors of Christ on earth. They also have a responsibility not to misrepresent him. They need to hear from God always so as to be able to represent him effectively.
WHAT QUALIFIES ONE TO BE AN AMBASSADOR? (Rom. 10:8-10; John 1:12; 2Cor. 5:17).
No one can be allowed to represent a nation of which he is not a true citizen.
To be a true ambassador of Christ on earth therefore one has to be genuinely born again, looking unto Christ for all needs and completely focusing on him.
As good ambassadors, believers ought to represent Christ in all that they say, think or do daily. In our homes, churches, business places, groups, fellowships, we should ensure that our thoughts whether spoken or imagined, with our conducts, glorify God at all times as true Christ's ambassadors.
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS? (Rom. 1:16; Heb.11:24-27; Matt. 5:13-16; John 2:15).
Christ ambassadors are charged with the duties/responsibilities of dethroning all ungodliness and evil, and revealing Godly living in all its ramifications on earth.
Our primary assignment is to carry out the ministry of reconciliation having ourselves been reconciled. We are saved to serve God in sincerity and in truth as well as mankind generally, to the glory of God, benefit of all men and edification of ourselves. To be told "welcome my beloved and faithful servant", the believer must please God with all at his disposal daily.
The believer is an agent of peace as his master, Jesus Christ. He must be a faithful witness who must tell of the goodness of his master to convince the world to accept him for their salvation.
Also, he must be a true ambassador of good work in all sense of it and transparent enough to convince sinners og the truth that gives abundant life.
WHAT POSSIBLE DIFFICULTIES WOULD CHRIST AMBASSADORS FACE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES ON EARTH? (Gen. 39:7-8; Prov. 1:10; 2Cor. 11:23-29).
All true ambassadors usually inevitably encounter varying problems ranging from oppositions, confrontations, pains, afflictions, assaults, insults, mockery, humiliations, delayed answers to prayers, neglect, malicious falsehood, manipulated imprisonments,as well as perils even from some brethren e.t.c., in the cause of performing their duties here on earth.
The difficulties also manifest by way of a gang-up/conspiracy, set up, opposition, denial of one's to promotion without justifiable cause, being ostracized from one's family and treated as half cast and any sort of wicked act done to a child of God to punish him because of his faith.
These difficulties, simply referred to as challenges, occur to different believers in diverse ways, at varying intervals. Although these challenges cannot be avoided by true ambassadors however should not be prayed for, invited or an enabling environment for their occurrence. However, when they come, God will always make ways of escape for the ambassador to survive and overcome. Hence, such times need to be committed to God in prayers to intervene for us.
HOW SHOULD ONE REACT WHEN AFFECTED WITH ANY OF THE CHALLENGES ENUMERATED ABOVE? (Rom. 12:12; 2 Tim. 2:3-4).
Any heavenly minded believer must realise that any of such situation is common to all who live Godly lives and that anyone who overcomes or endures them to the end, would be received into the kingdom of God with rewards, someday.
He therefore, should not be downcast, but be of good cheer, listening and lifting up his holy hands to God in prayers, to show him the way out and continue to promote the work God has put in his hand daily. If he must employ physically available human means, they must all be instruments that would not bring mockery to the name of the master or that may put his Christian stand in jeopardy.
He should allow God fight for him and must not pray prayers that God would not answer, else he becomes more frustrated in the situation.
He should always remember that his ministry is to save and not to terminate lives.
WHAT BENEFITS ACCRUE TO WORTHY AMBASSADORS? (Rev. 22:12).
Ambassadors as representatives so enjoy rewards and blessings from authority they act for. God does abandon anyone he has kept on earth to bear the banner of The Most High, if done worthily.
Thus, there are benefits for all true ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ, including.
- Honour.
The ambassadors of Christ are the true honourable members on this earth. If they live up to expectation, they earn much respect from all, through their godly deeds.
- Promotion.
God often promotes his ambassadors above their contemporaries. He lifts up his chosen ones brings down the proud to humiliation. The promotion and honour God gives usually earn them fame and favour before men.
- Blessings.
God is rich in all things and does not with hold them from all those who represent him well on earth. Hence, his called ones are not beggarly. God miraculously loads them daily with enough of the good things of this life to enable them do his work effectively and testify boldly to both Christians and the ungodly.
- Evidence of God's presence.
God manifests himself through signs and wonders in the midst of his own. He answers his children when they call on him.
- Assurance of the Kingdom.
All worthy ambassadors are guaranteed good homes in the kingdom of God on the last day. This reward is for as many that obey the word of God to the end.
Therefore, as ambassador, we are expected to walk worthy of the Lord's calling, to keep our minds free from doubts and worrying, remove shame from the church, encourage others to accept Christ.
