Representing Christ
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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 men'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. 2 Corinthians5:18-20
Paul makes it clear here, we are Christ’s ambassadors to the world around us.
An ambassador is a diplomat sent by a state or king as his representative in a foreign country.
Thus if we consider ourselves Christians we must accept the fact that we are diplomats to a country that is not our own. Thus we have to act diplomatically with the people around us. We should never be confrontational.
The apostle Peter states,
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.
One thing Ambassadors do is present their culture and beliefs to the country where they are posted.
Those belief may not always be the same as the country they are posted in. Added to that the country they are posted in may have radically different views to the ambassadors.
Still a good ambassador will represent his or her country in the best possible light.
As Christians we are called to do this. Being confrontational will only bring conflict and conflict can cost lives.
In the case of Christ causing someone to see Jesus in a negative light could possibly sent someone to a Christless eternity.
So the question becomes; How are you representing Christ?
Please think about it.
