“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

A little while ago, I read where an ambassador from another country committed a crime here in the states, but since he was an official diplomat, he was let go due to what is known as diplomatic immunity. It was a relatively minor crime, but something that if you or I did, we would have been prosecuted for. Just because he has been given special credentials, he is allowed special privileges. That being said, if he was to abuse that privilege, his immunity would be revoked and he would no longer be allowed to represent his country.

When we accept Jesus, we are made into what the scripture calls an ambassador of Christ. It’s a right term, since we are ordered by Jesus to represent Him in an official way. In Mathew 28, Christ says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” That is called His “Great Commission” and it is not a thing to be taken lightly.

Just think of it, the God Almighty and creator of the universe is appointing each of his children to spread the gospel and lead people to Jesus. It doesn’t say just friends or family or even people of our same race and color, He says, “all nations.” I hear that and I need to step back from myself for a moment, thinking about who am I to deserve Christ to not only suffer and die for me, but to also have the honor of being an ambassador for Him to all people. Honestly, like the old song goes, you are nobody until somebody loves you. I’m not anyone important in and of myself, but I am a real somebody as soon as God places His credentials upon me. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

We are children of the Most High God and, therefore, we are royalty. We are sent forth from Heaven as ambassadors into strange foreign lands. We are to conduct ourselves in way worthy of our Lord. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said that he shaved twice daily, because he was representing Christ in everything he did and did not want others to see Jesus in poor appearances. That’s showing a great attitude for life. If you are not doing or saying certain things in front of certain people, you probably shouldn’t be doing or saying those things at all. Put your best foot forward, so to speak. Keep the mindset that you may be the Christian that makes the difference in somebody’s life. You may be what leads someone to Jesus or you may be what drives someone away from Him.

The best part of being an ambassador is that we have that diplomatic immunity through the blood of Jesus Christ. We live in a sinful world and we are products of it. Our actions aren’t always what they should be. That’s why we need Jesus and His grace to forgive our sins. If you mess up, come to Jesus and admit it, then move on knowing that you already have been forgiven. Don’t abuse that grace though. If you love somebody and know that person loves you as well, you don’t want to fail them. Jesus loves you and is with you always.

Remember that not only are you forgiven for your shortcomings, but that is also what you can put forth to someone who doesn’t know Christ. They, too, can be forgiven and have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. As an ambassador of Jesus, that is what you bring to the empty table of a non-Christian. You represent the King of King and Lord of Lords. Your country is one not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens.

God’s blessings to you.

DH