Ambassadors for Christ

In the Beginning
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Ambassadors assigned to a foreign country normally live in that country to learn ..the culture and become attuned to the problems of the people. The more they learn, the more trusted they become, and the better they can handle difficult assignments. In this issue, we examine what it means to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our citizenship is in heaven. Our words and actions represent God and Jesus to the world (Philippians 3:20).

Paul the Ambassador begins this issue by examining how the apostle successfully represented Jesus before men and kings. He aggressively tackled the conflicts of his day to bring Christ to the Greeks and successfully build the first century Gentile church.

The major perils of our Christian life—the world, the flesh, and the devil—is the focus of In the World But Not of It. Ambassadors for Christ get no diplomatic immunity from their enemies and must be prepared for spiritual battle at all times.

Honesty in words and behavior is essential for Representing Christ with Integrity. Knowledge of the truth should cause a change that leads Christians to exhibit absolute loyalty to their benefactor under any situation in life.

Earthly obligations surface in Living in the Spirit. New creatures are expected to show self-control in dealing with others and to apply spiritual wisdom when dealing with money, marriage, and children.

Christians are called on to redeem the time and make wise choices in allocating resources. Making the proper decisions, the subject of Representing Christ to the World, will lead to both spiritual development and profitable interaction with suffering humanity.

To be effective ambassadors, Christians must show Justice and Forgiveness in their dealings with fellow Christians as well as neighbors. The parable of the unforgiving servant contains valuable lessons on practicing mercy.

Possible conflicts about Honoring Authority can be resolved by applying Scriptural principles. As ambassadors of Christ, we are not to engage in the politics of our host country, yet we are to be examples in following the laws of the land.

This issue concludes with The Portrait of the Mature Christian, first published in The Herald in 1924. The Christian life is cause for rejoicing as we represent Christ to a world full of fear. Knowledge and experience help us look beyond today to the time when our hope is fulfilled and the world’s pain and suffering is finally over.