Obedience to the Great Commission transforms us into official ambassadors from God’s kingdom who speak for God.
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)
Jesus was the model ambassador for the kingdom of God. How Jesus connected with people was truly amazing. It is well known that the most unlikely people loved him; while, religious sorts despised him. Why was this? How was he able to set a very high bar regarding ethical and moral conduct; yet, those whose morals and ethics were lacking were often very comfortable in his presence?
The message God has given us as ambassadors of his kingdom is a gracious invitation to be restored to a right relationship to him.
Although there is a proper time and way to fearlessly confront sin, the kingdom message is essentially conciliatory, at least to those whose hearts are open.
Those whose hearts are open will understand and respond. Those whose hearts are closed will resist.
Ambassadors are known for their wisdom and tact. They often face hostile officials and must counter their aggression and resistance with words that can defuse a explosive situation and move people to accepting his government’s proposals. This is very similar to how we should engage people with the gospel.
By nature, we tend to resist truth, especially when it exposes our sin. Denial is part of the human condition. People without God live in darkness, resist truth, and need the Holy Spirit’s assistance in coming to the light.
The Holy Spirit works inside people while we engage them externally. Our words and behavior can either help or hinder the process. We do not want to distract people away from the words of the gospel and what the Spirit is doing inside them by acting unwisely. For some of us this comes naturally, but for others it takes focused determination and commitment.
The gospel is difficult enough to accept without our making it harder by being unnecessarily offensive.
A great example of being tactful is found in the following passage. The Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter was initially rebuffed by the Lord, as we may be by those with whom we share. The woman asked Jesus to set her daughter free from demonic oppression. Our Lord seemed to close the door on her request, but she refused to give up.
He [Jesus] answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:24-28 (ESV)
This woman was an outsider, a Canaanite, with no inherent right to God’s kingdom through Abraham. She approached the Lord in humility and desperation, but he apparently turned her away. Right there is where the tact of an ambassador was needed. Instead of giving up or going off in a huff, she humbly pressed the issue. Getting help for her daughter superseded everything else. She resolutely countered what Jesus said with words of wisdom and faith. Jesus saw her heart and faith and compassionately responded. It is reasonable for us to assume that Jesus was simply testing her resolve, wanting her to press through to get what she desired.
Sometimes we must be like that woman and humbly press through the resistance we encounter when sharing the gospel.
When people resist our message, we need to listen to the Spirit for the right words that may overcome their hostility. People need to know that we are not arrogant or self-righteous, as are many who name the name of Christ. Instead we want them to see that we are truly concerned about their well-being.
Words of wisdom can open hearts and defuse negativity.
I have watched this happen many times, but only if we are not easily offended or taken aback. Love presses on.
Missional churches commit to training their members how to be proper ambassadors for God’s kingdom, who use wisdom, grace, and tact, and relying on the Holy Spirit to lead the way.
