How can we be effective
ambassadors for Jesus Christ? This has been on my mind a lot lately.
We are called to represent the Kingdom of God, to reflect HIS
official position. But I have struggled with how. Obviously we need
to be good examples, but I wanted to know more of how to share and
what to say. It's especially difficult with close family and friends.
I don't want to put anyone off with a sermon. I had an Aunt who did
that to my family even though we were Christians and regularly
attended church. She would deliver sermons to prove that her way was
better than our way. I can speak from experience that that was NOT an
effective way to be an ambassador for Christ. So I've been
researching this topic, reading lots of different articles and
sermons. Writing is a good way for me to put new information together
so that I can live it out. However, I also have a deep-seated need to
share what I've learned with others. It must be the teacher in me!
First in my mind, as
ambassadors we need to be sensitive so that people listen to our
message. Rather than scaring them with the horror of hell, encourage
with the love of God. Arguing with people is never an effective
tactic, nor is pounding them with their sins. Instead we should share
how deep a love God has for us, that he gave His only Son up to
suffering and death to save us. We need to convey how wonderful a
relationship with God is and what a powerful effect it has had on our
lives.
When we have our minds and
hearts set on sensitivity to others, we need to be ready and alert
for opportunities to represent Christ. Short interactions with others
can be very powerful. Even small acts of kindness can open doors of
understanding to others. We don't need to be armed with sermons for
everyone we meet. We are dependent on God's power. We must use our
best efforts together with God’s power in order to share the good
news. We need to pray daily for opportunities to be ambassadors and
for the Holy Spirit to guide us in what to say, and when to be quiet.
When we think of Jesus and
His disciples sharing the Good News with others, what comes to mind?
Like the disciples, we need to demonstrate the characteristics that Jesus
taught such as kindness, self control, compassion, love, patience,
gentleness, forgiveness, and humility to name a few. Be patient,
don’t quarrel, listen in order to understand, then gently,
respectfully engage people in conversation.
Jesus taught by asking
questions. That is the ultimate model for us to follow. People
immediately feel more positive when we are interested enough to ask
them questions. If we are engaging with someone new, it is vitally
important that we establish a relationship with them. Even with close
family and friends, a good way to open up a channel of communication
is to ask questions. We can follow Jesus' example by asking personal,
meaningful questions. This shows our interest in THEM and gives us
information about how they feel and where they are right now in terms
of their spiritual growth or openness to more information.
We should obviously have
knowledge of God's Word. We need to be able to share what God's Word
has to say about different topics. We should also be ready to find
answers if we are asked something we don't know. If we are not
regular readers of God's Word, how can we share it?
Humility. Jesus spoke
often of being humble. That can be a difficult concept in today's
society. As ambassadors for Christ, we need to be humble, not
arrogant because we know we are right. We must remember that our
understanding of truth is fallible. We must not press a point beyond
what we know or what evidence shows.
In the scripture passage
above, two words popped out at me. I wanted to define them more so
that I could have more clarity and understanding. 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 body that
gave him authority. Foreign land? Yes! Christians are definitely in a
foreign land here on earth. In John 18: 3-6 Jesus
answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of
this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be
delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
The second term is
ministry of reconciliation. This
is the work believers have been given to do and the message they to
pass on to others. That message
is that you can have a restored relationship with God through Jesus.
Sin prevents us from having a relationship with God, but
through God's grace, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid for our sins
and brought harmony to our relationship with God. Jesus reconciled us
to God. Verse 19 (above) says, “God was reconciling the world to
himself in Christ. He uses us to tell the world that they can be
reconciled to God through Christ. In this way, we become “Christ’s
ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
Christians are in a
foreign land here on earth. Christ called us to share His foreign
kingdom with others. Like Mission Impossible, our mission, if we
choose to accept it, is that people can have a restored relationship
with God through Jesus. Unlike Mission Impossible, if we are caught
by the enemy while in foreign territory, we will never be disavowed.
God will NEVER forsake us. Even though we are living on sinful,
foreign territory, surrounded and persecuted by the enemy, God will
never leave us. He is always with us. We must remain steadfast as
Ambassadors for Christ. The best way to sum up how to be a more
effective ambassador for Christ comes from Ann Graham Lotz. "I
want to let Christ radiate from within me, His joy sparkling from my
eyes, His love lighting up my face."
