You are an Ambassador

Message for March 2019 – 16

My dear youth:
I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask that His blessings, love, and direction be upon you in abundance.

Ambassadors of Christ

I would like us to reflect on the text of 2 Corinthians 5:20: Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Some years ago I had the opportunity to meet a United States ambassador in Spain. I was introduced by a friend and it was an unforgettable moment, especially considering that he was a diplomat who represented one of the most powerful countries in the world. A colporteur friend of mine appeared at a large company with the aim of distributing the literature he was carrying. First, he went
to the director’s office. The secretary asked him for his name and trade. The colporteur said: “I am an ambassador.” You can already imagine how surprised that woman was and the urgency that was given to announce to the director the presence of that enigmatic character. “Mr. Director,” the secretary said, “an ambassador is waiting outside and wants to talk to you.” The director arose
immediately and told the secretary to let him pass immediately. The colporteur entered the office with a firm step, a smile on his lips and looking straight into the eyes of the director he extended his hand saying his name. The absorbed executive said to the colporteur: “Mr. ambassador, be so kind to sit down. I am at your service. What do I owe such high honor that you come to visit me, and what country do you represent?” The colporteur replied without hesitation: “I am an ambassador of the kingdom of heaven and I come to speak to you about a matter of vital importance related to my responsibility.” The director’s gaze of astonishment did not escape his countenance. “Ambassador of the kingdom of heaven, what is that?” “You see Mr. Director,” said the colporteur, “I am a missionary and I represent the interests of God. I have come here to tell you about the work I do and to provide you with some manuals…” The colporteur took out the literature and presented the material. In the end, the director bought plenty books. I do not know if it was because he was moved by the courage of that young man or because he was interested in the subject, or the boldness of the presentation. It is not that I am condoning this practice for colporteurs to imitate, since more than one can take the matter in a negative fashion. But I must say
that in a spiritual sense the colporteur was saying the unaltered truth.

The text that we considered today for reflection teaches us this truth: We are ambassadors of Christ. How encouraging and wonderful! With these words we are guaranteed that everyone who accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, is appointed by God as an ambassador in this world of His kingdom. A secular
ambassador is a first-class diplomatic official who represents his country or state to another.

The interests of God

The ambassador that I knew should represent the economic, political, educational, military, social, etc., interests of his country and not those of his own. He could not do nor say as he wished, because he had a commitment to his country; he had committed himself to ensuring his country remained at a high level with the Spanish authorities, and it depended largely on his behavior. Dear young people, whom does your life represent? Do you live encouraging your own interests or those of Christ?
Many say they are Christians, but they act as if they were not, and of course they cannot think that heaven considers them their ambassadors. Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. An ambassador of Christ is one who lives to please God and to bless others. The
Christian ambassador seeks that the kingdom of God be represented correctly in this world and that the people know it and want to belong to it. When we love God with all our heart and do His will, the kingdom of heaven is here. Jesus taught: “the kingdom of God is in you.” John the Baptist preached: “‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’” Matthew 3:2. John was an ambassador of Christ; he prepared His first coming, he announced to the people the virtues of Him who would come to bless humanity: “‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the
sin of the world!’” John 1:29. At times I have had to visit various Spanish embassies, and I can attest that being there I breathed a familiar atmosphere, as if I were in my own country.

Actually, if we are ambassadors for Christ, our home, the church, the workplace, everything will give off a fragrant smell of heaven.

Representing Christ is something very solemn and extraordinary. Daniel and his three companions were ambassadors of heaven in a pagan land. Their way of speaking, their behavior, their integrity, their wisdom, and honesty, were decisive for King Nebuchadnezzar to accept and believe in the God of the Hebrews.

Christ represented the interests of His Father: “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” John 12:49. He did it in such fashion that he could say: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” John 14:9. No one has represented the interests of heaven like Christ. He is our model to imitate.

Whom do we represent?

Dear youth, when people see and hear us, what impression do they make of God and of His kingdom? If you are using social networks, who are you representing? When you go to university, who do you represent? At work, at home, with your friends, are you promoting God’s interests or yours? Are you a good example or not? Jesus taught that people are known by their fruits (Matthew
7:16). It is not that we must do everything ourselves, for it is impossible to live the life of Christ if we do not receive the Holy Spirit. The God of heaven enables us to represent Him correctly and for this purpose He gives us the power to do so: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

Conclusion

Dear youth, it is a great responsibility that weighs upon us. People expect to see in each believer a faithful representative of the One who died on the cross of Calvary. The disciples of Christ of the primitive church impacted people with their example, spoke louder with their behavior than with their words, and the world of their time came to know the kindness of the One who called us from
darkness to His admirable light. I invite you to be the light of the world. God bless you. Amen.

José Vicente Giner
Pastor and Director of the Youth Department
General Conference