Ambassador:
A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign.
Ambassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers.
Why would one embark on a missions trip? What is you motivation toward such a trip? The judgement seat of Christ should be the primary motivation for every believer.
An Ambassador for Christ should be motivated by Drive - a drive to be "accepted of HIM". In other words, we should be driven to please God in all we are and do! Will you please Him today? If so what will you please Him with ?
An Ambassador should also be motivated by Duty - a duty to "persuade men." This does not mean that we are to get people to say "yes" when they really mean "no". However, there is a real hell and God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Thus, we have a duty to persuade them by being a good testimony and persuade them by being a good testimony and presenting the glorious gospel of Christ. The Holy Spirit must do His work but what will you do today to persuade men?
Also we should be motivated by Devotion - a devotion that would cause us to present ourselves to Him. Jesus died that would cause us to present ourselves to Him. Jesus died for us and the least we can do is to live for Him! Are you devoted enough to present yourself a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your resonable service. Will you do so today?
An Ambassador not only has motivation but also the means by which to fulfil his ministry. God has provided the tools to carry out the task. The first tool in the toolbox of an Ambassador for Christ is his message - the gospel. Jesus already shed His perfect blood and rose from the gave victorious! All we have to do is share it. will you thank Jesus for His finished work by giving the message of the gospel to someone today?
The second tool in the tool box of an Ambassador is his manual - the "word of reconciliation". We are not pushing the Koran, the book of Mormon, or some other religious book but rather the very words of God. Remember, "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God'. Only eternity will reveal what is accomplished through the propagation of the gospel through the printed page. Will you be faithful today to give out the "word of reconciliation" with new vigor and anticipation?
The Ambassador has motivation, a message, a manual, and a ministry - the "ministry of reconciliation". Statistics say that only 5% of Christians are an active witness. That means there are too many ambassadors that have gone AWOL (absent without leave). While it is an awesome responsibility to be an Ambassador for Christ it is also a tremendous privilege. Think about it, we get to represent the King of kings and the Lord of lords! How well have we been representing Him?
In addition an Ambassador for Christ also has a mission. Jesus came into this world to seek and save that which was lost and He now allows and expects us to be involved in His mission - the redemption of man! At the judgment seat of Christ you will not wish you had watched more TV or acquired more things but you will wish you had better witness. What will you do for the cause of Christ and His mission today?
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2Corinthians 5:21
While the first part of verse 21 ends "for us" the last part of the verse ends "in him". While we should want to see as many as possible get saved and we should attempt great things for God while expecting great things from God, it is dangerous to play the numbers game. There is an even more aspect to our mission - not only the redemption of man but also the reward of God. We should be busy for the cause of Christ and the souls of sinners but our greatest pursuit is to be the glory of God. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His sufferings! My hope and prayer is that any missions trip will not only challenge us for the cause of Christ but change us for the glory of God. What kind of Ambassador will you be for the Lord?
