Page 14 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

od designated the people of Another characteristic of an ambassador
Israel “my witnesses”; “Ye are is maturity; that thought is embedded in
Gmy witnesses, saith the LORD the original meaning of the word. For
[Jehovah]” (Isa 43:10). A modern cult example, Paul used a word from the same
1
has hijacked that commission to Israel family to describe himself as “Paul the
and entitled their organization “Jeho- aged” (Phm 9). Thus, as ambassadors we
vah’s Witnesses”! When the Lord Jesus must avoid trivializing the message we
introduced the Church Age, He said to carry and treat the whole enterprise with
His own, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me,” the esteem and maturity that befits our
“my witnesses” (Act 1:8 RV). In reality, status; we should never dumb-down the
then, Christians are “Christ’s Witnesses.” gospel in a childish way.
Our remit as believers is to testify of Him Added to dignity and maturity, the
who purchased us by His blood. ambassador requires bravery, for he is
making representations to his Sovereign’s
Ambassadors enemies. It is “a ministry of reconcilia-
The two words in our title embrace our tion” that he carries. His message is “the
responsibilities as Christ’s representatives word of reconciliation”; his appeal is “Be
in a hostile world. “Now then we are ye reconciled to God” (2Co 5:18-20). Paul
ambassadors for Christ” (2Co 5:20). The himself had the necessary courage for
word “ambassador” implies that we act ambassadorship, so that as a result of his
as representatives, speaking on behalf of faithful commitment to the task he became
Deity. To use the language of the context, “an ambassador in bonds” (Eph 6:20). An
we are ambassadors for Christ; God is be- ambassador would often wear a chain
seeching through us; we appeal in Christ’s of office. Paul’s chain was of a different
stead. The fact that we are God’s envoys character, yet he wore it with a dignity in
demands that our activities be carried out keeping with his office as a bold, faithful
with a dignity that befits our link with the representative of heaven in an aggressive
Sovereign of the universe. Some think that world.
if we are going to win people we must be Another feature of the ambassador is
like them, including adopting their styles sincerity, as conveyed in the words “be-
and appearance, but really, provided we seech” and “pray” (2Co 5:20), or “appeal”
are not showy and extravagant, the clean, and “implore” as in the ESV. A true am-
tidy, appropriate appearance that befits bassador will not present cold facts in an
ambassadorship will make an impact. The unemotional way. There will be warmth
very appearance of Solomon’s servants, and winsomeness about his preaching.
including “their apparel,” was one of the His presentation will never be in “take
things that impressed a heathen queen it or leave it” mode. Like Peter, he will
about their master (1Ki 10:5). exhort the rebels, “Save yourselves from
¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV this untoward generation” (Act 2:40). Like
unless otherwise noted. Paul, his presentation of the “gospel of

270 TRUTH kTidings September 2023