Ambassadors for Christ 1 is a term we can apply to ourselves, yet fail to grasp the true significance and responsibility of the title.
An ambassador according to the English use of the word means “a representative of the highest rank, sent from one State to another”. This means he must have certain credentials, which are proof of his authority, that he might, in the fullest sense, represent his government. Likewise Christ’s ambassadors require certain credentials, as proof of their authority and position. Paul had all the required credentials and could therefore claim he was of the highest rank and authority; a representative of the exalted Son of God, the Lord Jesus Anointed.
We might ask ourselves at this stage, What would we give as proof if someone demanded of us credentials proving our claim to be ambassadors of Christ? Would we say that our attendance at special ecclesial meetings was the prime requisite; or being the member of a certain group or class? Perhaps we are a platform speaking brother, or hold a position of authority in the ecclesia, or have well-marked Bibles, understand all the difficult prophecies and verses, are prominent Gospel Extension workers, or perhaps there is some other facet of the truth in which we shine?
None of these, however zeaously performed, constitutes the only requirement of an ambassador of Christ. Whilst these works are good, if they were regarded as the sole requirements brethren and sisters would be encouraged to specialise and regard their own individual works as the main Godly attribute. This would then bring disunity and frustration such as abounds in the world around us, with its higher education in specialised fields of knowledge.
The word Paul uses comes from a Greek word “Presbuteros”, which means “an elder”, one matured through experience; not an untried, inexperienced youth, although his knowledge might be outstanding. For example, Moses was eighty years old when he was sent as an ambassador to Pharoah. What was Paul, as an experienced elder, representing here?
He was a living representation of Christ in all the required ways. Paul sets out this subject in detail.
His first proof of authority was the truth and mercy of God moving his life:
“Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not2 . . . “for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.”3
His preaching found practical expression in daily living. It brought trouble, perplexity and persecution, yet Paul says “we are not distressed”, “not in despair” and “not forsaken”4: a lesson for us to follow.
Paul takes a verse from Psalm 116 which was prophetic of Christ and applies it to himself, using this to prove that he is an extension of the work of Christ, “. . . having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believed, and therefore speak. “5
Paul shows that Christ was an ambassador,6 a representative pattern to follow. In Christ we must be new creatures, start a new life, have a new outlook, new thoughts and desires.7 God was being represented by Christ; God was reconciling sin’s nature through Christ, not imputing their sin8 (an allusion to Psa. 32. 1) and so Paul claims that he in turn represents Christ in the same work.9
These credentials are hard to obtain, yet they are the necessary requirements which put us all, young and old, mature and immature, on an equal footing. Thus Paul could see the need for a personal exhortation so that we should all grow up to maturity as ambassadors or co-workers together.10 He quotes from two Messianic prophecies and applies them to the Ecclesia, you and I included, showing that we must include ourselves in the work and sacrifice of our Lord, that we might truly represent him. We are to be part of “his body”, the “multitudinous Christ”, his “bride”, and extensions of his work. And so in 2 Cor 6. 4-10, are the credentials which will be revealed in our lives, as they were in Christ’s and Paul’s, if we follow the pattern after knowing what is required. He finishes his exhortation based on Lev. 26. 11 and Eze. 37. 27, sternly warning us all that we cannot represent Christ and the world, the truth and error. We must be separate and grasp this serious requisite of a true ambassador, for an ambassador must be faithful to his own.
We could all gain exhortation and encouragement from Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 14.20
“Brethren (his brothers), be not children in understanding; howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be mature.”
In this age of selfishness and vain glory let us learn the lesson of personal sacrifice and steady growth in the things that count.
References
1—2 Cor. 5. 20.
2—2 Cor. 4. 1.
3—2 Cor. 4. 5.
4—2 Cor. 4. 8, 9.
5—2 Cor. 4. 13.
6—2 Cor. 5. 14, 16.
7—2 Cor. 5. 17.
8—2 Cor. 5. 19, 21.
9—2 Cor. 5. 20, 1 Cor. 11. 1, Gal. 2. 20.
10—2 Cor. 6. 1.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One