The “Perks” of an Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

In the natural world ambassadors are important people.  They have been chosen by the leader of a nation to represent that nation abroad.  The Word calls believers “Christ’s ambassadors.” We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) who are called to represent the Kingdom of God during our time on earth, to be His voice to a lost world.

 Ambassadors in the natural world have a number of “perks” that come with their important job.  In looking at these perks it is possible to make some comparisons in the spiritual realm to the benefits believers enjoy as ambassadors for Christ.

#1 – An ambassador’s standard of living is based on the standard of living in his home country, not the country in which he resides. Imagine for instance what that would look like if you were the ambassador to an impoverished country like Haiti.  Poverty exists in every direction as far as the eye can see, yet inside the ambassador’s residence, known as a compound, there is abundance. As ambassadors for Christ, we are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16). We are not bound by the ups and downs in the economy that affect the world in which we live.

#2 – When an ambassador takes up residence in a foreign country, his compound is considered to be the property of the United States of America. When he is inside the compound it is the same as if he were living in the U.S.  He is totally protected – not only by the military guards assigned to the compound – he is also protected by the laws of the United States government.  As ambassadors for Christ, we likewise, are protected by ministering angels (Psalm 91) and we are protected by the laws of the Kingdom (although we are still subject by the laws of the land).  The Word says that the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (the law that dominates Kingdom-living) has set us free from the law of Sin and death (the law that dominates the natural world).  Spiritual law trumps natural law; as ambassadors for Christ, we have the favor of God surrounding our lives.

#3 – Sometimes, two countries get into a conflict that can lead to war. One of the greatest advantages for an ambassador is that, if a conflict is on the horizon, he is called home before the conflict erupts into violence (war).  As ambassadors for Christ, we likewise will be called home before the conflict called the Tribulation commences here on earth.  The Word says “we have not been appointed to wrath” (I Thessalonians 5:9).  Believers will not experience the terror that will be unleashed during that time.

While the perks of being an ambassador are not the number one reason why we share our faith, they remind us of two very important things: 1) they serve as a reminder to us that during our sojourn on earth that there is always something good to be experienced on the other end of doing what God asks  to do and, 2) as believers, we have nothing to fear as the last days unfold.  GRACE has seen to that!

5/19