“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)

Partnering with Heaven: becoming co-laborers in God’s mission as ambassadors for Christ.

I want to start by asking the question, because I was given the assignment to bring forth a message on the partnership with Heaven — in other words, becoming co-laborers in God’s mission, being an ambassador for Christ. Our text is 2 Corinthians, the fifth chapter and the twentieth verse. And it reads, “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ… we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

Just what does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ?

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” — 2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (KJV)

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul discusses the ministry of reconciliation and uses the term “ambassadors for Christ.” Saints of God, all of this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and He gave us the ministry and the message of reconciliation.

Generally speaking, an ambassador is a respected official acting as a representative of a nation, sent to a foreign land. The ambassador’s role is to reflect the official position of the sovereign who gave the authority. When the President sends out ambassadors, they represent the President — they represent the country they are from.

The Apostle Paul likens his calling to that of an ambassador and urges all Christians to consider themselves ambassadors for Christ. The gospel of reconciliation is the main theme at the heart of his preaching.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” — 1 Corinthians 1:17 (KJV)

Reconciliation with God is possible only because Christ went to the cross and received the punishment due for our sins. When our Savior cried, “It is finished,” the barrier between sinful humanity and the Holy God was removed for all who trust in Him.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” — Colossians 1:21–22 (KJV)

Therefore, as believers, we are assigned roles and responsibilities in life — husband or wife, employer or employee, student or teacher — and as believers in Christ we are all given the role of ambassadors for Christ. The mission of an ambassador: to bring the message of reconciliation between sinful man and the Holy God to those who do not yet belong to God’s people.

It is not just about giving the gospel; it is about living the gospel. We are representatives of Christ where we stay, where we work, where we play. We are ambassadors in those vineyards — those places where we inhabit — to be light in dark places.

Early in my walk — just becoming an ambassador and “learning the ropes,” so to speak — I sometimes spoke as if I were auditioning for a job. But God, by His grace and mercy, showed me that I was already hired. The reconciliation at the cross sealed it; my “pay” and my “bonus” were the blood He shed for me. I began to see ambassadorship as a lifestyle — not just talk the talk, but walk the walk. [inaudible]

Representing Christ today requires more than basic skill. It requires knowledge — knowledge of the Scriptures, knowledge of our surroundings, knowledge of what Jesus has done — and wisdom to present Christ to a dying world. It requires character. People may not care how much we know if we do not live what we say. Our character should be Christ-like. “What would Jesus do?” must be at the forefront as we represent Christ.

What motivates an ambassador? The gospel itself. We kneel and we give the gospel first and foremost because God first reconciled us to Himself — therefore we go out to help others be reconciled to God. We should be excited about that and always on the lookout — attentive — to bring a word of encouragement and to let people know they have a purpose. As ambassadors of Christ, we are on assignment to help them discover it.

Doing the will of Christ flows from love and obedience, not from our feelings. Feelings change; obedience remains. Saying “Thy will be done” may bring us to a crossroads, but we choose His will. We are to know the mission, walk in the manner, and remain motivated by the gospel.

Selected qualities emphasized by the speaker (grouped as delivered; wording preserved as closely as possible):

• Knowledge — “We have to have the knowledge; we have to be adequately informed.”
• Wisdom — “Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.” (cf. Matthew 10:16, KJV)
• Character — Christ-like character at the forefront: What would Jesus do?
• Readiness — “We have to be ready.”
• Patience — “We have to be patient.”
• Reasonableness — Sound judgment in how we approach people.
• Tactical — Use wise tact in how we go and how we speak.
• Clarity — Be clear in the message.
• Fair & Honest — Fairness and honesty in all dealings.
• Humility & Dependence — Be humble, attractive in spirit, and dependent on the Lord.

When we model ourselves after these qualities, we can truly say, “Lord, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Being an ambassador can be tiring. You may ask, “Why am I doing this?” You’re doing it because you represent the Christ you serve. If you say you love God, and you represent Christ, then do the will of Christ. It’s no longer our will. “Thy will be done.”

Do not let feelings rule you. Feelings can mislead and cause disregard for others. Ambassadors know the mission, embody the manner, and stay motivated. The One we represent — Jesus Christ — went all the way to the cross. From the first lash to the spear in His side, He went all the way and declared, “It is finished.” He calls us to go all the way in love.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35 (KJV)

So let us preach the word in season and out of season. Let us love — in the marketplace, at the gas station, in the bank, to our neighbor. Let the love we see on Golgotha (Calvary) be the love we show in the world. [inaudible]

Father, we thank You for calling us to be ambassadors for Christ. Help us to carry the message of reconciliation with knowledge, wisdom, character, and love. Align our will with Yours. Let us represent Jesus faithfully — in word, in manner, in motivation — until all know that He is Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.