Do you believe in God? Yes? Okay, great. Have you given your life to Jesus? Yes? Great. Next question: When it comes to how you engage in discussions (online or in person) on political, social, or religious issues… are you an activist or an ambassador?
Think about it.
When it comes to elections, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, social justice, racism, abortion, COVID, gender identity, sexuality, immigration, patriotism, taxes, climate change, taxes, or whatever other issue is in the news or in your social media feed…
Do you approach that issue as an activist or as an ambassador?
According to Dictionary.com, an activist is a “vigorous advocate of a cause, especially a political cause.” That certainly describes most Christians who are active in politics or at least active in sharing their opinions on social media. But…
The Apostle Paul says we are not to be activists for God. Instead, we are to be ambassadors for Christ.
“Now then 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 Corinthians 5:20, KJV)
The Greek word that is translated “ambassador” is πρεσβεύω (presbeuó). That word is derived from presbys which refers to a respected, mature (usually older) individual. And typically emissaries from kings, emperors, or rulers were indeed older, distinguished citizens who could be trusted to represent their sovereign in a responsible, mature, and helpful manner.
Today, ambassadors may not always be senior citizens. But they are most certainly expected to be mature, even-tempered, responsible, and wise. And they are expected not to be activists for their own agenda but diplomatic representatives of their sovereign government or nation.
So… let me ask you…
When it comes to how you discuss politics, social issues, or religion…
Would the people familiar with your participation in such discussions associate your approach, demeanor, and attitude with virtues such as wisdom, tact, maturity, and selflessness?
If the answer is “no,” then perhaps the reason is that you are more an activist and not an ambassador.
Wait a minute! Wait a minute! I can hear the objections rolling in. Being an activist is good sometimes, isn’t it?
I’m a citizen of the United States. And in that capacity, I recognize it’s necessary to be more active at times than others. And, even as a Christian, I recognize that it’s sometimes appropriate to advocate for certain causes. But… and please listen to this…
It’s very easy to get so caught up in our activism that we lose sight of the forest for the trees. We forget why we’re active in the first place. We can get so focused on our cause or causes – our ideology and even our theology – that we lose sight of the One we’re supposed to be all about!
What’s more, we can get so focused on the conflicts and the drama of political activism and social media antics (i.e., the storms and the waves) that we lose sight of our Lord. And we sink.
And we too often forget that our enemies aren’t people! As Paul says, we really are wrestling against spiritual forces. (See Ephesians 6:10-20 – a passage in which he again uses the word “ambassador”). We should be loving people and fighting for them! Not hating them! And yet…
When I think about how some professing Christians treat people — flesh-and-blood people! — because of disagreements, it both angers me and breaks my heart.
I understand that many of the issues really matter and the stakes are high. I get that. But Jesus says we’re supposed to be known by our love. That’s how we truly reflect Him. And that’s Who we’re supposed to be representing!
Yes, ambassadors sometimes have to play what could be described as an activist role, but they always do so — as representatives of the country or government they serve. Always. Why? Because that’s their default role.
And that’s our role as well.
Jesus doesn’t need more activists. Jesus wants ambassadors.
Will you be an ambassador for Christ?
