Ambassadors Of God’s Kingdom

After Christ’s resurrection, He appeared to the apostles over a 40-day span “speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Then He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them to be His witnesses to the whole earth and He ascended to heaven. At Pentecost, they received the power to begin this mission, and it continues through His followers to this day.

The Gospel — the good news that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died for sinners, and rose again for our justification — is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Salvation is not found in man’s wisdom, religious systems, or moral reform; it is found only in the finished work of Jesus Christ, proclaimed faithfully through the Gospel. In a world broken by sin and desperate for hope, the preaching of the Gospel is not optional; it is our sacred calling.

Jesus commissioned His followers to proclaim the Gospel in clear terms when He said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This commission is not restricted to the apostles; it is the task of every generation of believers. To “make disciples” necessarily involves preaching the Gospel, for without hearing the Gospel, one cannot come to faith. Paul asked, “How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? But how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a).

We may be tempted to believe that only a certain few “preachers” are empowered to reach people for Christ. Certainly, there are those specifically gifted to accomplish this in the way we commonly see it. Pastors and evangelists give their lives in this work. But all of us have a role in speaking words that point people to life in Christ.

Paul also stated that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Life necessitates speaking to people, so we all have opportunities to speak into people’s lives. This will look different for each of us, so it need not be forced or formulaic. It requires sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit, attentiveness to the circumstances and needs of those around us, and discernment in daily encounters.

In his letter to new believers in Corinth, Paul referenced the fact that he and another minister performed different roles. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Some of us may plant seeds of what I call “God thoughts.” It may be as simple as asking what others believe about spiritual matters when the conversation veers in that direction. Asking questions and initiating dialogue is a great way to plant seeds of the Gospel.

At other times, we may be in a position to encourage others with biblical truths, even when we don’t overtly cite the source. God’s word has power even without chapter and verse. The goal is reconciliation between those who are spiritually dead and the One who came to give them life.

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”  (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

To preach the Gospel is to act as Christ’s ambassador, ushering sinners into a relationship with God through Christ. This is a divine calling and privilege for every believer. Remember, the stakes could not be higher. Eternal destinies hang in the balance. Jesus told his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

This truth is heavy. It carries the weight of urgency. But it doesn’t need to cause fear for the message bearer, because it’s not our abilities that ultimately bring people into the kingdom. Rather, it is our faithfulness to His calling that sets things in motion. If you don’t feel equipped to preach or able to communicate at a level you think necessary, take comfort in the words of Paul: “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

Effective witnessing is simply making Christ known. Simple words can do that. Every Christian, in one way or another, is called to participate in this work: to proclaim Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, calling all to repent and believe in Him for salvation.

So make Paul’s proclamation your personal mantra and say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Boldly proclaim it, knowing that in it resides the hope of every single person you meet.