Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

2 Corinthians 5: 20-21

When we think of the word “ambassador” I think we most often think of a political figure who serves as a kind of stand-in on behalf of one government toward another. While that general picture is true, I think the word “ambassador” used by Paul is intended as more of a messenger or representative sent to individuals.

When William Carey, the “father of modern missions”, challenged the religious leadership of his day with the thought that it is the “duty of all Christians to spread the Gospel throughout the world.” One prominent leader responded by saying, “Young man, sit down; when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid and mine.” 

Is is possible that God could proclaim the Gospel without us? Absolutely, but that is not His plan. Throughout  Scripture, we are challenged again and again to present the Good News. We live in a world that is spiritually dead, and our job is to simply proclaim the solution to those who will hear and have their hearts opened by the Holy Spirit.

There are many ways God could have proclaimed His plan of Salvation for mankind, but verse twenty reminds us that God makes His appeal to all who are lost, through us. In God’s sovereignty, He has given us the responsibility to share the Good News with others.
 

We have the privilege to be involved in the reconciliation process. That’s God’s plan for us.