| The Christian Life | August 1942 |
Approved Ambassadorship
AN ambassador is a representative. The term is most generally applied to diplomatic agents of the highest rank who represent their governments before a foreign court. As a rule such ambassadors enjoy an honorable standing in the foreign land where they serve; and even if war breaks out between the two countries involved, they are usually assured a safe passage home. Such are the present-day laws of international diplomacy. Christians represent Christ in a foreign land, but if they are faithful to the One whom they serve, will not often enjoy a great deal of popularity. No illustration of a material nature can be used to picture spiritual truths in every respect, so is isn’t wise to carry the thought of ambassadorship too far.
Paul enlarges upon the thought he has in mind when using the illustration of ambassadorship as follows: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then [for this purpose] we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead be ye reconciled to God.”—II Cor. 5:18-20
Here we have the thought. We are representatives of Christ in connection with the work of reconciling a lost world to God. Our ambassadorship is not for the purpose of reconciling the kingdoms of this world to the Kingdom of Christ; but rather to effect a reconciliation of individual members of the fallen race to God, by pointing them to the only basis for reconciliation, which is the redemptive work of Christ. The world-wide nature of this work, embracing the full enlightenment of mankind in general, is reserved in the divine plan for the next age, when the church will reign with Christ in glory. But it begins while the church is still this side of the veil.
We are now serving what might be called an apprenticeship, as a part of our training for the future Kingdom work. This means that our present ambassadorship is important—equally important, in fact, to the work of the next age. It differs from that of the next age, not in degree of importance, nor in fervency of zeal with which it should be carried on, nor in the carefulness with it should be done, but principally in the volume and nature of results accomplished.
The divinely arranged method by which Christian ambassadorship functions in the earth during this age is that of a proper handling of the “Word of reconciliation,” which is the Word of truth. As the apostle declares, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, … and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.” This being true, it is obvious that only through a faithful use of the Word can one hope to be a true ambassador of Christ. It is to this high honor that we are called, and it is for this exalted service that God’s grace, through Christ, makes us acceptable.
“ABLE MINISTERS”
Earlier in this same general discussion—that is, in II Corinthians 3:3-6—the apostle speaks of Christians as being “able ministers of the new covenant.” Here, again, we are reminded of the great future work of the church in “making” the new covenant with Israel and through them with the world. And here again we are also reminded that a part of our preparation for the future is the apprenticeship we are serving now. But how, we may ask, can those who, themselves, are members of the fallen and dying race, be used of God to bring the world back to Him?
This is a faith-testing question if we properly realize our own nothingness; our own undone condition. It may have been a similar question that prompted Paul to write: “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” Yes, thank God, not only has He invited us to become “co-workers” with Him, but He has made every provision whereby we may be able to do this upon an acceptable basis. That provision is, primarily, through Christ, and through the gift of His Holy Spirit.
It is to this that the apostle refers in the beginning of the 6th chapter, saying, “We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” How could we be “workers together” with God except He first justify us through the blood of Christ? And how could we continue to work as partners with Him unless, through the Holy Spirit, He enlightened us; guided us; strengthened us; and gave us necessary grace to help in every time of need? What a tragedy it would be for us if such richness and fullness of divine grace should be bestowed upon us in vain. The only way this can happen is through our own lack of appreciation of it, and consequent unfaithfulness.
“ACCEPTABLE TIME”
In the 2nd verse of chapter 6, Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:8, which indicates that our being workers together with God is in connection with the giving of the new covenant to the people. But first, the church must be prepared for this glorious work. Each follower of the Master must be presented in sacrifice; and this is the “acceptable time” for such sacrifice. Paul affirms this in Romans 12:1, where he invites us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, “holy, acceptable.” For us, as individuals, then, it is another wonderful favor to be living in this acceptable time.
Yes, this is the day of the “great salvation” which began to be spoken by the Lord, and which has been confirmed unto the whole church by those who heard Him. (Heb. 2:3) The thought of “offer” is apparently what the apostle meant in referring to that which was introduced by Jesus. Fundamental facts concerning the high calling of this age were recorded in the types, promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, but they were not brought to light and offered to anyone until the first advent of Jesus. All the prophets likewise foretold the coming times of restitution, but the common salvation of restitution has not yet been offered to the world, nor will it be offered until after the great time of trouble with which this age ends. The Jews were offered salvation through the law, but they failed to attain it because they were unable to fulfill its requirements.
But now is the time when the “great salvation,” the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” is offered. And what a “high” calling indeed it is—to be coworkers with God in the reconciliation of an estranged and dying world, restoring all who become willingly obedient, to perfection of life upon the earth, to enjoy the sunshine of God’s favor forever. It is really too much for our finite minds to grasp. We have learned enough about God, however, to have confidence in His promises, so we accept this offer by faith, and in the belief that He will “succor” and “preserve” and “help” us in order that our lack of sufficiency will be made up by His all-sufficient grace.—Isa. 49:8
“THAT THE MINISTRY BE NOT BLAMED”
But while we have every assurance of the sufficiency of God’s grace to make up for our lack, yet God’s provisions are contingent upon our proper use of them. There are certain things for us to do, which we can do, and which, if we don’t do, will hinder the free flow of God’s grace in our lives. Paul hints at this saying, “Giving no offence in anything; that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.” These words indicate that despite all God does for us, we still may do things which will merit His disapproval and bring unnecessary reproach upon His cause which we represent.
This reminds us that it is one thing to be working with and for the Lord, and quite another thing to be just working. Jesus indicated that many, especially at the end of the age, would claim to be working for the Lord, but actually would be workers of iniquity. It is an essential of the Christian life to be “zealous of good works,” but we have a responsibility for making sure that the work we are doing is indeed the work of God. (Titus 2:14) There are no other truly “good works” except those which are authorized by God. And in rendering zealous service in connection with such works, we must follow the Lord’s instructions carefully if we are to have His approval.
From verse 3 to the end of chapter 6, the apostle mentions a, number of things which are associated with an approved ambassadorship. In verse 4 he lists “patience,” “afflictions,” “necessities,” and “distresses.” In the world today, as in the past, there is much affliction, much distress, much need, calling for the exercise of a great deal of patience; or cheerful endurance—even on the part of the worldly, if they are to maintain any degree of mental poise. Hence, the fact that a Christian may also have such experiences does not necessarily prove that he is an approved ambassador of Christ. Such experiences are witnesses of the Spirit to the Christian only if they are a direct or indirect result of his faithfulness as a Christian. Such was true in Paul’s case.
“In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,” continues the apostle. (Verse 5) Here again the cause of these experiences must be faithful ambassadorship in order for them to represent divine approval of our lives. It is comparatively easy to get put into prison, or to become embroiled in a tumult or riot. Paul had such experiences, not because he was a busybody, nor because he did foolish things to attract persecution, but because he was faithful to his commission as an ambassador of Christ.
There is an important point here for us to remember. Suffering for Christ is one of the witnesses of the Spirit, but not the only one. Some, losing sight of this fact, and wanting to be sure of God’s approval, have gone out of their way, doing foolish things, in order to attract persecution. And when persecution comes because of their failure to exercise the spirit of a sound mind, have congratulated themselves upon being the only people of God because they are persecuted. This is a great mistake. It is not our work, as Christians, to defy the government, to berate those, with whom we don’t agree, and to do other radical things, simply in order to get ourselves persecuted.
On the other hand, faithfulness in proclaiming the pure message of the Kingdom will, sooner or later, call forth the enmity of those who sit in darkness. It is still true now as it was in Jesus’ day, that the darkness hateth the light. Jesus, however, was not persecuted every minute of His life. It was only toward the end of His ministry that the forces of darkness swooped down upon Him and crucified Him.
We, too, may have seasons of comparative quiet so far as the persecution of the world is concerned. This may be in order that the message of truth might go forth for a time unhampered. However, if we are faithful ambassadors of Christ, there will come a time in our lives before we reach the end—although it might be right at the end—when we will have the privilege of standing for God and for the truth in the face of real opposition. But when that time comes, let us make sure that it is on account of the truth and not on account of error or our own imperfections.
CHRISTIAN ALERTNESS
“In watchings, in fastings,” adds Paul. Surely we cannot hope for God’s approval unless we continue to be alert in watching for the Lord’s leadings in what He would have us do and how it should be done. “Gird up the loins of your minds, be sober, and hope to the end,” is another admonition along this line. (I Pet. 1:13) “Fasting,” or, to use a broader term, “self-discipline,” is indispensable to true Christian alertness. Not that by watchfulness and fasting, even if it were unto death, could we be worthy of the Kingdom—for our sufficiency is of God—but we can thereby be the better qualified as ambassadors of Christ now.
“By pureness” also, the apostle says we render an acceptable ministry. We should strive for purity of life and character, not because we can actually purify ourselves sufficiently to be worthy of joint-heirship with Christ; for Christ’s merit alone makes that possible. But we are to strive for purity because we love purity and because impurity in our lives will bring reproach upon the ministry. We cannot attain perfection of conduct, but by God’s grace every Christian can and should attain a standard of righteousness in his life far exceeding that of the world. If he does not, then, anything he may say about the truth will have little effect upon the hearers. It behooves us all to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,” as the apostle admonishes us to do.—II Cor. 7:1
There is still another sense in which “pureness” should enter into our ministry; namely, by our watchfulness in keeping the message of truth itself pure, that is, free from error. The best safeguard for such purity is to make sure that what we minister to others is the Word of God, and not our own or other men’s speculations and theories. Here’s where many of us will have a struggle with the flesh. It is possible, and sometimes happens, that our own ideas and interpretations seem so wonderful to us that we deceive ourselves into believing that they are really the Lord’s.
Humility is an important factor in maintaining purity of the truth. The great fundamentals of the divine plan are clearly set forth in the Scriptures, and can be definitely proved by a “thus saith the Lord.” But there are details of prophecy, partially sealed in highly symbolic language, for which we need to patiently wait the fulfillment before we can know for a certainty exactly what is meant. But at times, perhaps, we don’t want to wait so that the subject matter may be clear to us and we may have the urge to display our wisdom by explaining details that are still a mystery. Humility’s answer to many questions is, “I don’t know.” It behooves us all to be cautious in connection with prophecies the, meaning of which has not yet been clearly demonstrated by fulfillment.
True humility is one of the beautiful adornments of Christian character; but weakness of character, displayed by a vacillating attitude toward the fundamentals of Present Truth, should not be mistaken for humility. We should be firm in our defense of the truth, and not take the attitude that it doesn’t make any difference whether we understand it or not. Some seem to have the mistaken idea that the only fundamentals of the truth are those doctrines which, as they say, do not depend upon interpretation and which cannot be refuted by critics. There are some very plain, palpable statements of Scripture which can not be doubted or denied, but these are often offset by others not so clear, thus making it necessary for an explanation of what might appear to be a contradiction.
The simple fact of truth that the wages of sin is death, is understood in various ways; and thousands, even of the most educated of the land, oppose our understanding of it. Why? Because other statements of Scripture seem to contradict that plain statement. To us it is perfectly plain that “sheol” and “hades” mean a condition of oblivion, a hidden, covered state, such as is meant by the old English word hell. But thousands insist that the Bible hell described by these words is a place of fire and brimstone where human souls are tormented forever. Shall we say that inasmuch as we all believe that the Bible teaches hell, it is unimportant which understanding we have, on the ground that we all cannot see alike?
Surely such an attitude of weakness toward the truth would not tend to safeguard its purity; and if we should, in any way, give our support to the promotion of the blasphemous theory of torment, we could not expect our ministry to be approved of the Lord. The same principle holds true with respect to all the doctrines of Present Truth. To those who see them clearly, and appreciate them properly, they are known to be wholly provable by the inspired Word. To say that because some cannot see these doctrines—even if they did, at one time, profess to believe them—means that they are merely interpretations, therefore not fundamental, is a display of weakness in our effort to keep pure that which we profess to love.
The beautiful text, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” means; something quite different to us than it does to those who do not understand the divine plan of the ages. (John 3:16) Those who do not take these words for what they really teach and mean, resort to their own method of interpretation, yet it sets forth one of the most fundamental of all Biblical doctrines.
“BY KNOWLEDGE”
Purity of doctrine makes possible a true knowledge of God and of His plan. As ambassadors of Christ and coworkers with God. It surely is essential that we have a knowledge of the divine plan. Can we imagine an ambassador properly serving his government and country without knowing the viewpoint and desires of those whom he represents? Surely not! It is therefore important for us, as ambassadors for Christ, that we apply ourselves earnestly to a systematic study of God’s Word, in order that, at all times, we may be ready to properly set forth the plans and purpose of our God and of Christ. We cannot attain perfection in knowledge; but we must “study to shew ourselves approved unto God,” if we are to be workmen who will not be ashamed because of having the divine approval of our ministry.—II Tim. 2:15
Knowledge, too, should go beyond a mere superficial knowledge of the divine plan. One of the purposes of this knowledge is to reveal to us an understanding of God’s character, and assure us of His loving interest in us as His coworkers. In other words, it is essential that we know God, through the revelation of His plan, and through faith in His intimate and wonderful dealings with us. It is important also that we know Christ. We can know Him in proportion as we are faithful in following in His steps of self-sacrifice, and to the extent that we are being made conformable unto His death. If we lack this richness of knowledge of God and of Christ, our ambassadorship will come short of that which the Heavenly Father desires it to be.—Phil. 3:8-11
“By longsuffering, by kindness.” Here are further qualifications for an approved ambassadorship. We may think of longsuffering, as used here, as describing the Christian’s proper attitude toward those with whom he comes in contact, especially in his efforts to impart to them a knowledge of the truth. It means that we should not be hasty, but patient in our attitude toward them. It means that if one does not accept the message the first time we give the witness, we will not harshly condemn that one, nor conclude that he is worthy of the second death.
To be truly long suffering in our dealings with others, means that we will be kind. Kindness is one of the important elements of love. If the love of God is ruling in our hearts we will not be unkind, either in thought, word, or deed, toward those who may disagree with us, or oppose us. What a great deal of reproach is sometimes brought upon the ministry of Christ by the unkindness of those who serve as His ambassadors. Brethren, let us be kind, patient, longsuffering and generous toward those who may misunderstand or oppose us in our service of God.
“By the Holy Spirit and by love unfeigned.” Our ambassadorship must be guided by the Spirit of God if it is to be acceptable to Him. God’s Spirit should fill our hearts and live. For this to be possible, we need to be emptied of the spirit of self, and of all other spirits. The spirit of pleasure, the spirit of lust, the spirit of the world, the spirit of rivalry, the spirit of hate, the spirit of greed, and the spirit of Satan, must be put away from our hearts and lives, and the Spirit of God rule supreme, if we are to be approved as the ministers of God. And where the Spirit of God rules, love also fills the soul; for the Spirit of God is the Spirit of love; for God is love.
The apostle emphasizes that our love should be “unfeigned,” that is, not simulated, make-believe, or merely surface love. It is one thing to talk about love, but quite another thing to be filled with love so that all our, words and actions reflect its sweetness. Let us remember that God is able to read our hearts and He knows whether our love is feigned, or whether it is genuine. We may be able to deceive the brethren, but God, whose approval we seek, cannot be deceived. God is not mocked!
“BY THE POWER OF GOD”
“By the Word of truth, by the power of God.” In Romans 1:16, Paul speaks of the “Gospel of Christ” as being the “power of God unto salvation.” The power of God in the Christian life is derived in large part from the Word of truth. It is, at the same time, the power of the Spirit; for is not the Word, the Spirit of truth? It is true, of course, that the Christian is surrounded by divine protection so that nothing can happen to him except by divine permission; but the power of an approved ambassadorship is the power of the truth.
If we are to be approved ambassadors we should not resort to worldly methods of any kind in order to increase the effectiveness of the ministry. Satan tempted Jesus to do this by suggesting that He cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple in view of the crowd. This would have been spectacular, and probably would have attracted great attention to the Master’s ministry; but it was not the divine way of conducting the ministry. Satan will also tempt us to resort to ways and means of promoting the truth that are not God’s ways. But the power of God through the truth will accomplish all that He wants accomplished without our trying to improve on the divine methods. “My Word … that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”—Isa. 55:11
We should, however, use every legitimate means for disseminating the message of truth: such as the printing press, the radio, illustrated lecture, etc. What we need to guard against is the introducing of worldly fanfare into the message, or surrounding it with the trappings of sensationalism in order that the people may be induced to listen to it. When God wants it so, He will know how to attract the masses to the truth. The time will come when miracles will accompany the message. Yes, when God turns to the people the pure language of the Kingdom, it will be backed up by the miracle of awakening from death, twenty thousand millions or more of the Adamic race. Then the world will be converted; but it is not God’s plan to convert the world now; so all the power He desires back of the message is the power of the truth itself.
“By the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” A worldly ambassador does not require an armor; for the country he represents, and the country he serves, are at peace with other. But the ambassadors of Christ do need an armor, for while they are ambassadors, they are also soldiers, engaged in “The good fight of faith.” (I Tim. 6:12) They do not fight with carnal weapons, nevertheless, they are surrounded with enemies, the three principal ones being the world, the flesh and the devil. And, inasmuch as we tabernacle in the flesh, live in the world, and, Satan goeth about as a roaring lion to devour, us it means that our enemies are pretty close to us, all the time. No wonder we need the armor of righteousness, the Christian’s armor, for without it we would be slain as new creatures, hence would be unable to carry on with our ambassadorship.
“By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true.” A true ambassador of Christ will not permit himself to be wrongly influenced by honors heaped upon him; nor will he be discouraged by dishonor. Ambassadors in the world are called diplomats, which according to international standards means pretty much of a deceiver. He is supposed to be adept in saying one thing and making his hearers thinly he means something else. But, while Christian ambassadors will use wisdom in presenting the message—being wise as serpents—yet they will be true. They will always present the truth, and nothing but the truth. They will never resort to trickery and deceit in order to interest others in the truth.
“As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed.” The world did not know Jesus in the true sense, but the Father knew Him. Neither are His ambassadors recognized by the world; but God knows them, and honors and blesses their work. Jesus was unfavorably, known of the world; indeed, the world hated Him; and so it will be of all of His true followers. Approved ambassadorship will cost us our lives, because we are invited to be planted together in the likeness of Christ’s death. At the same time, however, we are begotten to a new hope of life, and so we have a life which we live by the faith of the Son of God. We live because Christ lives in us. And while we thus live we are “chastened,” that we may be properly trained, not only for a more acceptable service here, but also for the glorious future service when we become partakers of immortality.
“MAKING MANY RICH”
“As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” Jesus was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” not because He was out of harmony with God, or was sick or disappointed, but because He sympathetically bore the sorrows of others. Yet all the while, He was rejoicing because of His intimate association with His Father, and because of His absolute confidence in the ultimate triumph of His Father’s plans. It should be even so with us. We cannot be ambassadors truly approved of God unless we are sympathetic toward the fallen race among whom we shine as lights. And if we are truly sympathetic we will do all we can to help those with whom we come in contact; and we will rejoice greatly in the hope of restoring them to life in the times of restitution.
Jesus, although He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor. And oh, how rich He has made us in a realization of His goodness and mercy, and how rich we will be to all eternity, and how rich He will yet make the whole world! As His ambassadors we are to follow in His steps. We are not to view our ambassadorship from the standpoint of how much we can benefit from it; but rather, how poor we can make ourselves in the service of others, that they thereby may be made rich.
Our riches consist of the treasures we are laying up in heaven. From this standpoint we should be growing richer every day. But the size of our heavenly bank account will be in direct relationship to the extent to which we are now sacrificing earthly interests for the blessing of others. Let us remember that Jesus is our example; and remember, also, that none of us has quite followed Him all the way in self-sacrifice. If we succeed in following the Master all the way in, making ourselves poor, we will truly have “nothing,” and yet, as the apostle adds, we will be “possessing all things.” Yes, we will be “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”—Romans 8:17
“O ye Corinthians,” Paul exclaims, “our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.” Here, it seems that words failed Paul in his effort to impress upon the Corinthians the importance of all the things involved in Christian ambassadorship. His heart was enlarged toward them; that is, he was anxious to do all he could to help them. He wanted to make them rich as he had been made rich, and he was quite willing to make himself poor in order to do so. Do we feel the same in our attitude toward others? Are our hearts enlarged toward our brethren, toward mankind, yea, even toward our enemies?
This wonderful 6th: chapter of 2nd Corinthians closes with the apostle’s admonition to keep separate from entangling affiances with false gods and false religions. This is truly an important consideration for every ambassador of Christ. The Harvest message of Present Truth has called special attention to the importance of heeding the call to “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 8:4) Could we suppose that God would approve. us as His ministers today if we refused to heed this call; or heeding it, turn back to enjoy some of the supposed sweets of a system which He has condemned? The Master’s admonition, “Remember Lot’s wife,” is surely timely now for any and all who may feel that Babylon has anything of spiritual value to offer those who are true ambassadors of Christ.—Luke 17:32,33
Our finite minds can but partially conceive of the richness of divine grace that has been bestowed upon us through Christ in that we have been invited to be coworkers in the reconciliation of a lost world. But we can show our appreciation of such a high calling by faithfulness to the terms and conditions which accompany it. Truly we are debtors to divine grace; and while we can never pay the debt, we can show the Lord how much we would like to pay it if we could, by the manner in which we seek to obey the instructions of His Word. Doing this, grace has made it possible for our imperfect works to be acceptable to Him, and thus for us to be approved ambassadors.