We all are given roles and responsibilities in life, whether it is the role of being a husband or a wife, an employer or an employee, a student or a teacher. But do you know that as believers of Christ, we are also given the role of being ambassadors of Christ? The Mission of an Ambassador: We are all on a mission as believer of Christ to bring the message of the gospel to those who don’t belong to God’s Kingdom: the message of hope and reconciliation between sinful men to a Holy God.
Christians are not merely people who hold certain beliefs. We have been called to represent the King of glory in a world that does not know Him. Our words, our conduct, and our message are meant to reflect the authority of the One who sent us. Scripture says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us” 2 Corinthians 5:20.
An ambassador does not speak his own opinions. He carries the message of the king he represents. In the same way the church does not invent its message. We proclaim the gospel that has been entrusted to us. Christ Himself commanded this when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” Matthew 28:19–20. But somehow witnessing and demonstrating the obedience to the Great Commission has been partially or fully ignored by Churches and believers. Programs and activities have taken the precedence.
In all religion their so-called sacred places are the motivation and attraction for people to visit week after week and more importantly on special days because for them gods dwell in religious structure. People display their reverence while visiting worship facilities and fulfil just religious obligations. Likewise, Christians today resemble them by fulfilling their obligation to pay weekly visit to the Church and pay their offerings, and with that their duties come to an end. As long as the crowd assemble and money is secured, all involved in the entire system are happy. However, we fail to realize our responsibility goes beyond just religious obligations. I have addressed this in detail in one of my blogs, "Cycle of Christian life"
Jesus claimed this while He was on the earth. John 5:17 “My father is still working, and I am working also.”. Jesus was not working to build the food security and for the future of His followers. He came to seek and save the lost. And all the disciples were committed to do so. Today, all other things have taken the priority including the ministry which has become the source of sustenance and fulfilling personal agendas. Jesus warned the people with these words, "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life". John 6:27. This does not mean we are not supposed to be employed. Every platform becomes an opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ, sharing the good news.
The Movement Christ started was meant to be sustained and integrated in our schedule. We have a royal responsibility. But unfortunately, we see in many cases this is dying under the umbrella of the so-called institution. Today the priority has shifted to religious obligations and fulfilling the demands of an institution. The Movement Christ started, over the period has curbed the momentum and stagnated under the umbrella of institution. Institution is not at fault; it is supposed to organize the movement, equip the believers and remind them of their responsibility to be Ambassadors for Christ. Mark the observation of this famous historian Rodney Stark (Historian) on institution. “For too long, historians have accepted the claim that the conversion of the Emperor Constantine caused the triumph of Christianity. To the contrary, he destroyed its most attractive and dynamic aspects, turning a high-intensity, grassroots movement into an arrogant institution controlled by an elite who often managed to be both brutal and lax.” Sometimes I want to conclude that the movement and institution which was supposed to be an ally and partner has become the residual.
Unless the Pastors and leaders of the Church are intentional in modelling to be the carrier of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3) and being the ambassadors we cannot expect the believers to do so. Can we retrospect on these two big questions. What are you modelling? What is your church modelling? May we remind and ignite every believer to be an ambassador for Christ in their families, community, workspace and wherever they go.
You may read the last blog HERE
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