We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.  (2 Corinthians 5:20)

What a marvelous picture of the intersection of the Two Kingdoms.  We conclude this series on Lent – Easter, and the Two Kingdoms, by considering what it means to be an ambassador.

An ambassador is someone who represents his king and country in a foreign land. He or she is a diplomat of the highest rank, appointed as a representative in residence by one government to another.  Granted, as believers we are citizens of two kingdoms (Church and State); but the State is, for all intents and purposes, a “foreign land.”  Our true citizenship, our eternal commonwealth is in heaven – Church (Phil. 3:20).  Therefore we are ambassadors to the Left Hand Kingdom.

The general task of an ambassador is to represent his king and country in a foreign land.  Though we live, for a time, among the people of this country, we are citizens of another kingdom.  In a manner of speaking, we are to be in the world but not of it.

As ambassadors, we speak for our own country.  What we say we say on behalf of our King and His Kingdom, the kingdom of which we now represent.  We speak not our own will; we declare not our own thoughts or opinions on matters; we speak on behalf of our King.  We represent Him.  Therefore, we declare the message He gives us to speak.  We communicate His thoughts, His desires, His will.  Always and in all matters, we speak for our King and His Kingdom.  We speak truth – truth to power – His truth.

The message of our King is one of peace – peace with God, peace among men, peace within our borders, and peace among the nations.  And we demonstrate that, if possible, in so far as it depends on us, we live peaceably with all (Rom. 12:18).

Martin Luther said: “Peace if possible, truth at all cost.”  There is no true and lasting peace apart from truth (the King’s truth).

The resurrected Lord has appointed and commissioned us to be His ambassadors in a land not our own, to bring to it a message of peace, peace by way of truth (John 8:31-32).

There is no greater challenge, responsibility and privilege than in being an ambassador…  In all your thoughts, words and deeds, represent His truth, for apart from it there is no peace.