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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Eyes are watching. Ears are listening. You take a deep breath. Your very next action, be it word or movement, could bring about peace or war for the nation you represent. The difference between life and death is in your hands. So you sharpen your thoughts, hold your tongue, take captive every word said and think before acting or reacting. Your behaviour is on full display.

The definition of an ambassador is given as “an important official who works in a foreign country representing his or her own country there, and who is officially accepted in this position by that country.” Using this definition for the quoted verse, we can extrapolate some points between ambassadors and Christians:

• an important official – a follower of Christ
• works in a foreign country – living on the earth
• represents his/her own country – a citizen of the kingdom of heaven
• is officially accepted in this position by that country – accepted as a representative of God

The last point is especially important. The moment we declare Jesus as our Saviour, we become citizens of heaven and are entrusted to be representatives on God’s behalf.

Though you reside on earth (a foreign country), you protect the interests of God (your home country). This means, as an ambassador, you are not only a representative in a passive way (i.e. the way you behave, what others see in you), you must also actively protect and uphold God’s best interests.

Not surprisingly, both the passive and active parts of being an ambassador go hand in hand. By being a good representative of God and living out His word, you bring others to believe in, know and love Him. The country you represent seeks to bring those into its citizenship, not push them away! And there is no long list of requirements for immigration, obtaining a visa, or having to reside there for seven years.

So remember: you do not act on your own behalf but on the behalf of your country, on behalf of God. Ever aware of this, you make your next decision. You could be the sole difference between life and death for the next person you meet.

Let us be ambassadors by:

• Thanking God for choosing us to represent Him to everyone; and,
• Asking God to help us connect and be reconciled with Him.