Article Summary
This article explores the biblical calling to be “ambassadors of reconciliation,” representing Christ through our words, actions, and relationships. Drawing from personal experiences in diplomacy and international ministry, Dr. Eric Scalise explains how believers are chosen, entrusted, and sent by God to bring His message of hope and reconciliation to the world. With biblical insights, he highlights the qualities of faithful ambassadors—including trustworthiness, integrity, and humility—and challenges Christians to see every interaction as an opportunity to represent God’s kingdom. Ultimately, the article encourages believers to live as salt and light, faithfully carrying out Christ’s mission wherever He sends us.
By Dr. Eric Scalise
President, Hope for the Heart
The Son of a Diplomat
I was born in Nicosia, Cyprus – and I grew up overseas. On any given day, half my heart is in another country.
As the son of a highly-placed diplomat and intel asset within the U.S. State Department, I was afforded a wonderful introduction to the rich tapestry of cultural and ethnic diversity across the globe. Serendipitously, my father’s first embassy was in Tehran. After Cyprus, I also lived in Singapore, Bolivia, Germany, and Iceland.
Since coming to faith, I have been around the world multiple times doing a variety of ministry activities from training counselors, teaching at universities, and equipping pastors and ministry leaders… even smuggling Bibles into closed countries.
The World Is at Our Doorstep
During my undergraduate years at the College of William & Mary, I worked for the Dean of Students and helped organize a host family program for our foreign students. According to the Institute of International Education, about six percent of all U.S. students (1.2 million) herald from other countries. The largest contingencies are from India, China, South Korea, Canada, and Vietnam. These students represent the top 1-3% of their nation’s brightest, most gifted, and highly connected future leaders.
Beyond the campus environment, reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that foreign-born workers now compose over 19% of the American workforce (roughly 31 million people), with half being Hispanic and about one quarter, Asian.
It’s as if the Lord is bringing the world to our doorstep.
Ambassadors of Reconciliation
In 1 Corinthians 5:18-20, Paul made an interesting observation when he said God, “… gave us the ministry of reconciliation… [and] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”
The title of ambassador is actually derived from a Celtic word that means, “servant” and was first applied in this manner by Charles V in the middle of the 16th century. Another term used years ago defined the person as a plenipotentiary, or one who is, “a diplomatic agent vested with full power to transact business.” You and I are no different. All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Christ (Matthew 28:18), and He has entrusted it with us so that we may transact His business.
Do you see yourself as God’s ambassador? To family members and loved ones? To spouses and children? Coworkers, friends, and neighbors? To those who need to experience salvation and reconciliation? Have you ever considered that the Lord actually wants to make His appeal to others through you?
Being an ambassador is more than a title – it is a calling that shapes the way we live, serve, and relate to others. Just as earthly ambassadors are expected to reflect the values and priorities of the nation they represent, Christ’s ambassadors are called to reflect His character. The following characteristics provide a helpful portrait of what it means to serve as an ambassador for Christ.
Ambassadors are Chosen
Scripture affirms this truth, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
It is the prerogative of any president, ruler, prime minister, king or queen to handpick their ambassadors. An ambassador is often referred to as the “Chief of Mission” in another country’s capital for the purpose of establishing diplomatic ties. Now, we have this amazing opportunity to be the Chief of His Mission.
The “choosing” comes as an outgrowth of the relationship between the ambassador and the one whom he or she serves. Similarly, as Christian ambassadors, our commission from the Lord flows from a relationship with Him. We did not choose God, but He chose us (John 15:16). We have been handpicked and He made us a kingdom of priests and rulers, so we should likewise, “be all the more diligent to make certain His calling and choosing” (2 Peter 1:10 NASB).
Ambassadors are Faithful
When it comes to showing honor toward a sovereign leader, ambassadors are known for their loyalty and fidelity, a quality that has typically been demonstrated over a period of time. Faithfulness also matters to God, and He knows, “The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10 NASB).
God encourages His ambassadors to take steps of faith so they can be given greater responsibility in kingdom work. Solomon understood this principle when he wrote, “a faithful envoy [another word for ambassador] brings healing” (Proverbs 13:17 CEV). The privilege of bringing a spirit of reconciliation to others in the name of Christ is often given to those who have first been faithful in the little things.
Ambassadors are Trustworthy
Another way of articulating this trait is to say that an ambassador is worthy of trust. This implies reliability, honesty, and dependability. Trust, like faithfulness, is also an earned commodity, and a trait that is developed and proven over time.
For ambassadors who primarily do their work apart from the one who appointed them, they must have the implicit trust and confidence of their president, prime minister, king, etc. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB) Paul indicates, “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
Ambassadors are Entrusted
Ambassadors are given a mission and have a clear understanding they are not supposed to represent their own worldviews, ideas, initiative, plans, or philosophies, but those of their king, ruler or president. The same holds true for us: “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV).
Our mission is the gospel, to faithfully represent the kingdom and principles of a sovereign God. Our words and actions at home, the workplace, in school or church, and where we live, all matter greatly.
Ambassadors are Dignified
Ambassadors are typically viewed as very dignified and stately individuals of high integrity and moral character. This implies they have the willingness, ability, and humility to “rise and walk above the fray” by not allowing the self-serving desires or the ambitions of others to deter them from their sense of mission.
Our conduct and demeanor can make a significant difference in an outcome. Therefore, “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach” (Titus 2:7-8 NASB).
Ambassadors are Sent Out
Finally, ambassadors are commissioned to go somewhere and represent their nation and its leaders. The Lord modeled this reality when He, “. . . had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2).
Just as Jesus was sent into the world, so He now sends us. Some to our families, some to our schools or places of work, some to our local neighborhoods and communities, some to positions in government or industry, and some, like ships that set sail, to foreign lands with different cultures and peoples.
Salt and Light
Everywhere an ambassador goes in the world, every place they step foot, is considered to be the sovereign territory of the country from whence they came. As Christians and leaders, everywhere we set foot – as salt and light – becomes space and time belonging to God Himself.
He grants authority to us as believers and this authority is always greater and more effective than the exploitation of power. Though diplomats living in other nations are usually afforded diplomatic immunity, this should never become a license for wrongful behavior or attitudes. We too must be mindful of this principle, though spiritually we are under grace and not the law. Otherwise, our diplomatic immunity (the authority to overcome evil with good), becomes diplomatic impunity (spiritual pride and arrogance).
By God’s grace, may we hold this honor in high esteem at all times. Remember, part of God’s plan is that He is making His “appeal” to others through us, through our words and actions, and more often than not, through the transformative power of authentic relationships.
