by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul sought to explain to the Corinthian church that as new creatures in Christ, God has not left us alone in what we are to tell those who are outside of the faith. He has delivered to us the message of reconciliation, and from here on out, are called ambassadors for Christ. This is the status of every believer who names the name of Christ as Lord. Recently, I had the opportunity to teach the youth how to grow as a faithful ambassador of Christ in three key areas. As they continue their studies in school, and live in a secular culture that has influenced what they learn and the worldview of their friends, it is crucial that their minds be renewed in the truth of Scripture. It is the lens by which we can view reality aright. Here are the three areas:
Knowledge: An Accurately Informed Mind
If you were enlisted to represent your native land in a foreign country as an ambassador, and knew nothing of your native land’s leadership, economy, language, geography, politics, history, would you be considered a good ambassador or a bad one? Obviously, we know the answer. Yet, in the area of Christian discipleship, the tendency for many believers is their inability to speak for their sovereign in evangelism, as well as communicate the character of their sovereign. Many who name Christ as Savior and Lord find themselves stumbling to tell others who it is they follow, or even to know what He has said concerning Himself in the Scriptures.
In order to be considered an ambassador of Christ, Scripture assumes we know the message of reconciliation, which is the message of the gospel. In order to understand that message, it requires that we know something about the two parties who are in conflict (God and man), the nature of the conflict (sin), and the good news that brings about reconciliation (Jesus Christ, the God-man sent by the Father to redeem man by His death on the cross and resurrection, demonstrating the acceptance of His life on earth as our justification). It also seems to include what God calls for every person in order for them to call the gospel ‘good news’ (faith and repentance).
This, in itself, requires knowledge about the Scriptures! Knowledge about God, His character and works, man and his rebellion, Christ, His character and works, the gospel, and the call of the gospel. We must get the gospel right, since it isn’t ours to edit, but to proclaim. Not only will this require knowing the message, but primarily knowing the One who gave us that message. It requires us to know God Himself!
Wisdom: An Artful Method
To continue the portrait of an ambassador, if one is fully aware of the culture and customs of their native land, but cannot communicate them in a language that foreigners can understand, would it make a difference how much you know? Certainly not. There is an awareness that an ambassador must have in order to be effective in fulfilling his/her duties. You must know how to express the knowledge you have in a way that is intelligible and persuasive to those you are speaking with.
As we are to communicate this message to those who don’t know God, we will come up against those who are either apathetic about the message, or entirely antagonistic at the message. These are roadblocks that can also be a setback for many who want to represent the King faithfully. Many times, in delivering the good news to unbelievers, there may be opposition that comes in the form of objections, many of which we may be unprepared to handle. Issues of morality concerning God’s actions in the Old Testament, atonement by way of crucifixion, perceived conflict between faith and science, and more come to the forefront of what one may raise.
Being able to drive the conversation to a deeper understanding of the Christian worldview must include drawing others to justify their own worldview in opposition to that of Scripture. This is most effective in terms of asking questions that will allow us to practice listening to those who do not accept the authority of Scripture. Asking the kinds of questions that get at knowing what others believe, why they believe it, and whether they have seriously considered the ramifications of their beliefs will advance the conversation in a wise fashion.
Character: An Attractive Manner
The final key to being an effective ambassador involves having the kind of character that will draw people to want to know what message you bring. If you know the message, and can direct the conversation in a way that will expose others to the message of the King, yet are brash in your attitude, with constant interruptions, would that interest a person in knowing what you have to say? Not at all. An ambassador must act consistent with the message that he/she intends to bring to those who need to hear it. Otherwise, the ambassador will be left to speak into the air, or to him or herself, and that’s just weird.
When we try to bring the gospel to others, our intention is to get it across to them, and yet believers have generally fallen into two errors: being so nice that nothing is said of the offense of the gospel, or being so offensive, that the gospel pales in comparison in terms of offense. Our growth as Christians must include the kind of character that commends the gospel, and point to the God we love and worship. To act contrary to His character distracts from seeing the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel.
Christlikeness is the Goal
Imagine if Jesus Christ, when speaking with the Pharisees, would not know how to answer their pointed questions concerning the intricacies of the Law. Or if, when speaking with Pontius Pilate, he cowered, neither confirming nor denying what was claimed about Him by the crowds. What if he was arrogant in His attitude towards the woman at the well for her sinful life, or brash in dismissing her as a Samaritan? Would this gain a hearing, or be consistent with the character of God? We all know the answer to that. If it wouldn’t be ok for Jesus to do this, why should it be ok with us?
As believers, we have the duty to get the gospel out to dying sinners unaware, or in complete denial, of their ultimate destination. Would we be so calloused as to ignore the darkness that surrounds us, while having the light of the gospel in our hearts and minds? Some have never seen it, or have been put off by the behavior of others to seriously give it consideration. If we truly seek to fulfill the Great Commission in response to the Great Commandment, our calling as ambassadors would be taken with utter seriousness and reverence for the One who called us to it.
As Christ modeled conversing with the knowledgeable leaders of His day, boldness in identifying who He is to those in authority, and compassion to those who were in need of grace, we too need to grow in these areas as a means of pursuing Christlikeness. These three areas are life pursuits of an effective ambassador for Christ, and I pray we all seek to glorify God in seeking His strength to model His character consistent with His message of reconciliation that He gave us. Let us never waver, no matter what age we are, in representing the King of kings and Lord of lords, all to the praise and honor of His holy name.
Author’s Note: I have been greatly helped by the ministry of Stand to Reason, who models this approach in every interaction. You can learn more about their Ambassador Model.