Second Corinthians 5:20 says, “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.”
As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ. We are His representatives here on earth until He returns. Now, is that important? Yes, it is. And here’s why.
As His ambassador, you represent Him. What you do, what you say and the way you act, all reflect on the character of God. When the world looks at you, they should not just see you, but see Christ in you. And, you should represent Him in such a way that they want to become a Christian themselves.
When a king or president sends an ambassador to a foreign land, he is taught what to say and what to do. The ambassador does not promote his own agenda, but he presents the ideals and plans of the one who sent him. He does not act on his own, but is merely a representative of the king or president.
Jesus said He did not do anything unless He was told to by the Father. We are to be the same way. We should only speak what God wants us to speak and we should only do what He wants us to do. If we do what we want instead of what He wants, then we are not His ambassadors. But, if we will read and meditate on the Word of God and then put what we read into action, then we will be Ambassadors of Christ.
A few years ago a man told me how great of a witness he was on the job. He said that from the time he got to work in the morning until the time he clocked out to go home, he talked about Jesus. The only problem was, he never did any work. One day his boss contacted me and asked me what was wrong with this man. He said he wouldn’t work, he would only preach.
He didn’t keep his jobs very long because he kept getting fired. It reached the point that this man had such a bad reputation for being a loafer and talking all day instead of working, that no one would hire him. Instead of drawing people to Jesus, he ran them away.
There is an excellent way to be an ambassador for Christ. There is a way that you can represent Jesus so that people will see Jesus in you and want what you have. Here it is.
All you have to do is do the things Jesus said to do, without any fanfare and without drawing any attention to yourself. Read the Word and do the things you read. Read the teachings of Jesus and act on them in faith and you will be a good ambassador.
In Matthew 28:19-20, one of the last things Jesus said before ascending into heaven was this. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Jesus wanted us to make disciples, and we can if we will be like Him. In thirty years in the ministry, there is one phrase I have heard over and over and I never want to hear it again. That is this. “If that’s the way a Christian acts, then I don’t want to be one.” If we’ll be good ambassadors for Christ, then we won’t hear that phrase again.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.