January 8th, 2025
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Ambassadors for Christ
While Secretary of State during the Reagan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would say, "You have to go over the globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and put their finger on the country to which sent--unerringly. When Shultz’s old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield was appointed ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said: "That’s my country." On June 27, 1993, Shultz related this to Brian Lamb on C-Span’s "Booknotes." The former secretary stated: "I’ve told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. ’Never forget you’re over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You’re there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget it, and you’re representing the best country in the world.’”
An ambassador speaks to foreign countries on behalf of the leader of his country. An American ambassador speaks for the President. That means he/she cannot give his/her own views or ideas, rather only the ones from the President. The same is true if the ambassador represents a country with a monarchy. The ambassador speaks on behalf of the King or Queen.
In the 5th chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us in the 17th verse that we are a new creation and that the old is gone, but in the verses that follow we learn that as new creations we are being reconciled to God and are now responsible to help in the task of reconciling the world to Him. Then in verse 20, he makes it more clear, “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.”
If you are a born again follower of Jesus Christ you are not only his representative, but you are God’s “mouth piece.” If you are God’s “mouth piece” then it is your job to speak His words. Now, if you are speaking His words, it is important that you learn what his words are. How else can you know what those words are if you do not read his Word, the Bible? Everyone you meet is either a citizen of your country, “the Kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of this world.” Your occupation is Ambassador of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
So let me ask you a question, when you use foul language are you being an appropriate ambassador? When you tell a dirty joke are you representing Christ? When you chew out the server in a restaurant or the manager at the store that is giving your poor service or the driver on the road who just cut you off, are you being Christ’s Ambassador?
Jesus’ words were those of encouragement even to people who had disappointed him. It is vital that each of us who are Christ Followers remember our role as ambassadors wherever we go and whatever we do. Our problem is that we somehow get the idea that life is about us. But, as a new creation, it is now about Christ. It’s ALL ABOUT CHRIST. Is your life all about Christ or is it all about you? Can you find your country?
If you are that new creation; if you are born again; if you are reconciled to God through Christ; if you are in the ministry of reconciliation; and if you are Christ’s ambassador, you will speak and live as Christ would do it. If the fruit of your lips and your actions do not reflect him, you need to check your relationship to Christ. Perhaps you are not yet a new creation. Are you connected to the King? He desires that link.
This Sunday we will launch a series of messages on the Parables of Jesus titled Kingdom Stories. The stories (parables) Jesus told were designed to help us to understand what it means to live in God’s Kingdom under His authority and rule. This week we will look at the reason Jesus used these stories. Why did he present these stories for us? Our message will be titled, Stories for Pure Hearts, based on Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-12, Luke 8:9-10. Plan to take part in this exciting adventure.
Your Co-Ambassador,
Jon
Ambassadors for Christ
While Secretary of State during the Reagan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would say, "You have to go over the globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and put their finger on the country to which sent--unerringly. When Shultz’s old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield was appointed ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said: "That’s my country." On June 27, 1993, Shultz related this to Brian Lamb on C-Span’s "Booknotes." The former secretary stated: "I’ve told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. ’Never forget you’re over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You’re there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget it, and you’re representing the best country in the world.’”
An ambassador speaks to foreign countries on behalf of the leader of his country. An American ambassador speaks for the President. That means he/she cannot give his/her own views or ideas, rather only the ones from the President. The same is true if the ambassador represents a country with a monarchy. The ambassador speaks on behalf of the King or Queen.
In the 5th chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us in the 17th verse that we are a new creation and that the old is gone, but in the verses that follow we learn that as new creations we are being reconciled to God and are now responsible to help in the task of reconciling the world to Him. Then in verse 20, he makes it more clear, “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.”
If you are a born again follower of Jesus Christ you are not only his representative, but you are God’s “mouth piece.” If you are God’s “mouth piece” then it is your job to speak His words. Now, if you are speaking His words, it is important that you learn what his words are. How else can you know what those words are if you do not read his Word, the Bible? Everyone you meet is either a citizen of your country, “the Kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of this world.” Your occupation is Ambassador of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
So let me ask you a question, when you use foul language are you being an appropriate ambassador? When you tell a dirty joke are you representing Christ? When you chew out the server in a restaurant or the manager at the store that is giving your poor service or the driver on the road who just cut you off, are you being Christ’s Ambassador?
Jesus’ words were those of encouragement even to people who had disappointed him. It is vital that each of us who are Christ Followers remember our role as ambassadors wherever we go and whatever we do. Our problem is that we somehow get the idea that life is about us. But, as a new creation, it is now about Christ. It’s ALL ABOUT CHRIST. Is your life all about Christ or is it all about you? Can you find your country?
If you are that new creation; if you are born again; if you are reconciled to God through Christ; if you are in the ministry of reconciliation; and if you are Christ’s ambassador, you will speak and live as Christ would do it. If the fruit of your lips and your actions do not reflect him, you need to check your relationship to Christ. Perhaps you are not yet a new creation. Are you connected to the King? He desires that link.
This Sunday we will launch a series of messages on the Parables of Jesus titled Kingdom Stories. The stories (parables) Jesus told were designed to help us to understand what it means to live in God’s Kingdom under His authority and rule. This week we will look at the reason Jesus used these stories. Why did he present these stories for us? Our message will be titled, Stories for Pure Hearts, based on Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-12, Luke 8:9-10. Plan to take part in this exciting adventure.
Your Co-Ambassador,
Jon
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