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Introduction

This Newsletter is a continuation of the series on “The Heavenly Citizenship”. In this edition, the position of believers as ambassadors of the kingdom of God on earth is discussed. Here, an ambassador is a person sent from one sovereign state to another; and s/he represents the person of the sovereign by whom s/he is deputed.

Christ Jesus as an Ambassador

Jesus often indicated that He was sent from Heaven by God. Jesus was an ambassador because He represented God while on earth. This is evidenced in the scriptures below:

“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak (Joh 12:49-50).

As could be read from above, Jesus was sent from a sovereign Kingdom to the earth. He did not send Himself but was sent by the king of kings to reveal His will to mankind. He came into the earth with a divine mandate: He had a commandment, what He ought to say, for He spoke only those words that His King and Father commanded Him to speak. He did not say His own words. This is the essence of a trusted ambassador, for s/he does not seek his/her own interest but that of the one who sent him/her.

Believers as Ambassadors of Christ

When the Messiah finished His ambassadorial assignment, He departed to His Father. This means that an ambassador does not have a permanent portfolio in the country where s/he functions. S/he is called back when their term of office expires. The expiration of the term of office of an ambassador is not an indication that the work should be stalled. Another has to continue to represent his/her role. This was why believers have been chosen as ambassadors to continue the work of Jesus Christ on earth. it is read that:

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God (2Co 5:18-20).

Similarly, Paul writes that he has been made an ambassador of Christ for the mystery of the gospel of Christ (Eph 6:18-20). All believers, but not only those in five-fold ministries, have been sent by God to represent Him in this decaying and sinful world. Believers have been sent as sheep in the midst of wolves (Mat 10:16). This makes the King of peace pray for them thus:

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Joh 17:14-16). This attests to the fact that we are only on earth here temporarily as ambassadors of Christ, so we are not supposed to cleave to the pleasures of this life. This world is not our home. We shall be called back home when our mission is fulfilled.

it needs to be stated that you are only an ambassador and you are not supposed to be received by the world. You may be rejected by the people you have been sent to, but never lose hope, because the one who sent you is with you. Jesus says that if any receives you, they have received Him but if they reject you, they reject Him who sent you (Mat 10:40, Joh 13:20).

The Ambassadorial Message

It should be emphasized that Ambassadors do not represent their own interests and that they do not have their own messages. As already stated above, Jesus did not have His own message but that which He received from the One who sent Him. Paul´s message, as an ambassador, is all about the mystery of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. So, an ambassador of Christ must clearly articulate the message of the Kingdom of God. It is not that which the people are interested in hearing nor that which his/her sender has not commanded him/her to speak.

The message of an ambassador of Christ must include the following:

• Repentance; that people should repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt 3:2)
• Reconciliation: that forgiveness and deliverance through faith in Christ are possible. “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..” (2Co 5:19).
• Preaching the kingdom of God and those things that concern Christ Jesus, our Lord (Acts 28:23,31)
o That unless a person is born again, s/he cannot enter the Kingdom of God (Joh 3:3-5).
o That the requirement for the kingdom is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
o That the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (1Co 6:9-10, Gal 5:21, Eph 5:5).
• Tribulation and suffering: that with much tribulation and suffering, we shall enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Believers are not exempted from suffering, but the Lord God is with them through their struggles.
• Heaven or hell: that, it is appointed unto man to die once and after that judgment (Dan 12:2, Heb 9:27).

Conclusion

Believers are the ambassadors of Christ so they should be circumspect and walk worthy of their calling. They should behave as God´s representatives on earth. Their messages and actions in this world should be those which are approved by the King of kings and the Lord of God, who is enthroned in Heaven.

Prayer: Lord God of glory, you have commissioned us to represent you in this world, we pray for your grace to help us remain committed to our calling. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. AMEN!

Introduction

This edition of our Newsletter further discusses the responsibility of kingdom citizens. Believers are not supposed to be inward looking but have the responsibility of taking care of one another. Supporting one another, as believers, is, therefore, discussed.

Provoking one Another unto Good Works

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10:23-25).

According to the above paragraph, believers are being encouraged to explore ways of serving each other and to stir up each other to the more vigorous exercise of love with the practice of good works. The need to motivate one another to observe good works (i.e. righteousness, prayer, Bible study, etc) is an important duty of all believers in Christ. Christians, regardless of their denominations, are supposed to provide support and seek the well-being of each other. The need to support one another necessitates the conviviality of the children of God. As a community, it is important that believers take instructions from the people God has put in the charge of their souls. Timothy is exhorted to warn unruly believers, to comfort the feebleminded and to support the weak while being patient toward all men (1Ti 5:14). Supporting one another, therefore, means that evil should not be rewarded with evil, but each must strive to do good to one another (1Ti 5:15).

It is the need to support each other that Paul again admonishes that “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Gal 6:1-3 KJV). The weak Christians are still the children of God but they are not strong enough to live unblemished life. It is, therefore, the responsibility of other members of the Kingdom of God to encourage and provide whatever support (spiritual, psychological, emotional etc) they need to live commendable lives.

Weak believers are not supposed to be cast out of our denominations but must be supported with love and the spirit of gentleness (Rom 15:1, Gal 6:1-2). Believers are not supposed to gossip about the weak believers and crucify them. They are supposed to be loved and encouraged to remain strong. Sometimes, instead of praying for the weak and finding out from them the support they need, to help them live for Christ, they are thrown off without offering the relevant support.

It ought to be stated that the weak believers also need to open up to the leadership of the church for the needed support instead of hiding. Apostle James writes that believers must confess their faults one to another, and pray one for another, so that they may be healed of their diseases because the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man produces the expected results (Jams 5:16). Prayer of faithful believers and the counsel of the Elders have the power to deliver weak believers from sin and diseases.

Living as a Community

Children of the Kingdom of God are advised to live as a community on regular basis. This is to ensure that members can receive instructions and exhortations. This may guarantee that believers are well prepared for the coming of their Lord and Savior (Heb 10:25). The gathering of believers offers a great privilege for them to be steadfast and persevere as they receive the graces that come with communal living.

Communal living triggers the flow of the anointing of the Most High God. This is affirmed by the Psalmist when he writes that “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psa 133: 1-3). It is the custom and tradition of the people of God to live together in unity. This was the practice of the early church. All of them that believed were together, and had all things common as they worshipped God in simplicity and unity of purpose (Acts 2:44-47).

Living together with a unity of purpose promotes watchfulness and the health of the Kingdom citizens. Living in a community of believers is not about fault-finding consciousness or wild orgies, but seeking the welfare of each member of the community. However, if a believer is approached for sin or some attitude that may lead him/her to destruction, s/he must accept his or her faults and requests for a prayer instead of denial and defensive attitudes.

Cain was of this negative attitude when God questioned him about his own brother, Abel. Instead of recognizing his faults and repenting to receive forgiveness, he became rude to God. God asked him, “Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). God wanted him to come to his senses but he was not ready to repent of his sin. People who tread the path of Cain are ignorant of the command of God, to be each other’s´ keeper (Gal 6:2). Believers are entreated not to rejoice over the fall of a brother or a sister (Psa 24:16-18).

Conclusion

Believers are not to divide themselves and seek their own individual interests. They are supposed to bear each other´s burden. It is their responsibility as citizens of God´s kingdom to care for and support each other with simplicity and in love.

Prayer: Our Lord God Almighty, the Father of Love and Compassion, we ask of you one thing; that you make our hearts sensitive to the suffering of each other, and to offer ourselves and resources to support one another. In Jesus´s name. AMEN!