Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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People of God: Ambassadors of Christ
Philippians 1:12-21
“I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly”.(V.14)
Paul an Ambassador at large to the world
An ambassador is a high ranking official representing his country to another. They all come with different titles such as ambassador, high commissioner, viceroy, governor-general etc.  Other than being part of a diplomatic corps, there are good will ambassadors representing sports and businesses.
An ambassador selected for the task is simply a mouth piece for the king or the country sending him.  He is in fact a personification of the sender or the agency to carry out their best interests skillfully without compromising their values.  An ambassador is a shrewd person who knows the culture and aware of the geo-political situation of the country  where  he is sent.  A misstep can upset the delicate nature of the relationship between the guest and host country.
As an ambassador of Jesus Christ, Paul knew that his citizenship was not on this earth, but in heaven, “For our citizenship is in heaven.” Phil.3:20.  Paul had all the marks of a seasoned statesman who demonstrated his grasp of kingdom values and the opposing world view that was prevalent at the time  which was a hindrance to the preaching of the Gospel.  As an ambassador, Paul  sought common ground to communicate the gospel without offending his hearers. Paul’s speech at the Mars Hill, in Athens where he found an inscription “to the unknown God”  (Acts 17:23.)  is a monument to his remarkable ability of cross cultural communication! Paul convinced them that he was speaking about the same God they were worshipping without knowing who He was.
An Ambassador of Christ before the elite
Paul was never afraid nor ashamed of Christ or the Gospel.  He boldly testified to the elite his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ whom he opposed before he met Him on the Damascus Road. Acts 24 and 25 describes Paul’s witness before Felix and Festus (procurators of the Roman Province of Judea.) Paul testified before King Agrippa the reason of his faith in Christ. During that conversation, Agrippa said to Paul, “you almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul said, “ I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”( Acts 26:28-29).
An Ambassador in Chains
Diplomatic Protocols do not allow Ambassadors to be bound, chained or imprisoned. Ephesians 6:20,  states that, “I discharge the office of ambassador in a chain.” Ambassador Paul used this humiliating situation for the glory of God. He was able to witness to every soldier on whose hand  he was bound to.
Prayer : Dear Lord, like Paul, whether bound or free let me do my work for the glory of God. Amen
Thought for the Day:  “I am persuaded that, neither death, nor life shall separate us from the love of God.”  Rom.8:37.

Mathew T. John ,  NJMTC, Randolph.


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