2 Corinthians 5:20–21 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Apostle Paul declares that he is an ambassador for Christ because God the Father reconciled Paul to Himself through the saving work of Jesus Christ.
To be reconciled means that enemies opposed to the will and ways of God because of their sin and selfishness now have peace with God through Jesus becoming the atoning sacrifice for their sins by His death on the cross. God’s righteous wrath against them is removed because they are given spiritual life, causing them to recognize that their sinful condition is cleansed and forgiven by trusting in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
The Apostle Paul experienced reconciliation with God when he met Jesus while traveling to Damascus to charge, imprison, and kill Christians. Jesus confronts Paul on that road, and Paul is brought to confess his dependence on Jesus as his Savior. From then on, the Lord gave Paul a new direction in life. He who despised Jesus and His disciples became a forgiven follower and an ambassador for Jesus.
An ambassador is a high-ranking government official representing his government to other nations. Though an ambassador has no personal authority, he represents his government with the full authority of his government supporting him.
Jesus commissions all His followers to take the gospel message to all the nations with the full authority of the Lord backing them on their mission. We are always ambassadors for Jesus Christ in all circumstances. We bring all of Christ to all of life. We advance the kingdom of God through the message that Christ alone brings peace with God and gives a righteous standing before God to all He saves. Furthermore, everyone redeemed by the blood of the Lamb becomes an ambassador for Jesus on the mission of reconciliation.
Our mission is to gather the nations to Jesus, where true peace and purpose are found. Thankfully we are not on our own. We go with the full power and authority of Jesus, our reigning Lord and Savior.
Ambassador, you’ve been given your mission and credentials. Go, the Lord is with you!
