In 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV), the apostle Paul says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” The Greek word for ambassador here is presbeúō, which speaks of one who acts “as an established statesman or diplomat–a trusted, respected representative who is authorized to speak as an emissary.” It was a term ascribed to official representatives of the Roman Emperor. This is the role we get to play in our world on behalf of Jesus! This is our mission here as believers, to be His messengers to others “as though God were making his appeal through us.” But what does that entail?

Well, ambassadors must be responsible and trustworthy. Imagine if the President sends you to represent the U.S.A. at an international meeting. He’s trusting your presence will characterize what it means to be a citizen of this country—to exemplify hope, freedom, opportunity, truth, and justice. The very fact you were asked shows he’s confident you can do the job. Similarly, being Christ’s ambassador means you’re an official representative of heaven and its King, the Lord. And get this: the Lord is confident you can do the job. How does He know? Because He’s with you and He’s working in and through you by the power of the Holy Spirit!

There’s a second aspect of this word ambassador that’s very interesting. It means “a person who can deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.” When you combine these two definitions of ambassador, you can understand more clearly what Paul is communicating about our mission.

As children of God and followers of Christ, we’re called to represent Christ the same way He represented Himself when He walked among us. We’re called to represent Jesus to the people around us with love, compassion, grace, peace, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, mercy, and truth so that they too would be reconciled to God!

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to live on mission?
2. How are you living in light of your calling as Christ’s ambassador? In what ways can you grow in your representation of Christ to the world?
3. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” What sticks out to you about this passage?
4. How can you be more intentional about using your gifts, resources, and desires for the Great Commission? How can you embrace where God has placed you and how he has equipped you at this time for the Great Commission?
5. What’s one thing you can do this week to grow in your role as ambassador for Christ?

Memory Verse

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”—2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (NIV)

Prayer Guide

Father, I thank You for giving me this amazing privilege to be Your ambassador in a world that desperately needs You! I pray You would equip me and my fellow brothers and sisters to honor this call, to come together to represent Your kingdom and Your Son in such a way that it draws people to You! Amen.

If you have questions you aren’t sure of, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.