Who Are You Representing?
Ambassadors with no authority (and some exciting changes at Bibliophile's!)
Do you know who ambassadors are?
If you don’t, they are a person representing either a country, another person, or business in a foreign land.
Their every action reflects honorably or shamefully on the person or thing they are representing. Their words reflect the one they are representing, whether truthfully or falsely.
Have you ever thought of yourself as an ambassador?
It’s true. You are an ambassador. Perhaps you’re representing your family or your school. Perhaps you’re representing a business or an organization.
But, the greatest thing you can do as a Christian is to be an ambassador, to represent, Christ.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
The Oxford definition of “ambassador” is
an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.
For Christians, that means we are sent by God to a foreign place, a place that is a far cry from our heavenly home. As ambassadors, we have been entrusted with the Word of God, to appeal to the world to be reconciled to God. Our actions reflect (falsely or truthfully) the One we are standing for.
We have no power or authority. Instead, we have the power and authority of God backing us. Imagine that!
You, as a Christian, are an ambassador for Yahweh. As a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you do not stand by yourself but are supported by the Creator of the universe.
Yikes! There’s some pressure there, right? To think, the words we say and the things we do every single day reflects positively or negatively on God1.
He’s the One who sent us, as new creations, out into the world to sow seeds of the gospel and to reap the harvest of salvation.
When the world beats you down because you’re different, set apart, holy, rejoice. Don’t look down. Look up, for the Lord chose you to represent Him.
Here’s an assignment for you today. Scroll back up to the definition of “ambassador” and change it where appropriate to make it into something like “Nicole is an accredited ambassador sent by God as one of His official representatives to earth.” Tape that definition up in a place where you can see it daily this week.
Remember, you are an ambassador for Christ. Your thoughts, words, and actions reflect the One you’re representing.
So, be sure to represent Him well.
Liked today’s post? Comment or ❤️ it below! Know of a friend who might be encouraged by these words? Share it! And thanks for reading. 🥰
And also keep in mind, God’s mercy is abundant, so when you mess up, ask for forgiveness. God promises forgiveness to those who sincerely ask for it.
The exciting change:
A Bibliophile’s Notebook has a new logo (and a new publication wordmark in the near future)! As I have learned and grown in my blogging and Substack-ing, Bibliophile’s has developed its own personality. The first logo and publication wordmark were created to be permanent but as time passed and more posts were written, I realized it did not match very well to the blog aesthetic or to Bibliophile’s content. As such, a new logo and a new publication wordmark were recruited to replace them. Let me know what you think of the changes in the comments below. 😊