Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian

This year, we produced a booklet titled: Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian.

The world and its media have various views about Christianity and how Christians are supposed to live.

But many of those views are NOT based upon the Bible or the practices of real Christians.

Do you know that Christians are supposed to be Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God?

Do you know how a Christian is really supposed to live?

Can early Christian history give us any clues?

Can you accept biblical commands and instructions?

This book is filled with many scriptures in order that the sincere may better learn how God wants His people to live. A way very different than that lived by most who claim Christianity.

The Apostle Paul taught that Christians should be ambassadors for the gospel of God’s coming kingdom:

²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ … (2 Corinthians 5:20; NKJV used throughout except where noted)

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:17-20)

What is an ambassador? Here is what Merriam-Webster states:

Definition of ambassador

1 : an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment

2 a : an authorized representative or messenger

But as Christians we are not temporary, we are to be permanent representatives of God, His government, and His kingdom.

Although the Apostle Paul was a Jewish and Roman citizen (Acts 21:39; 22:3, 28), he wrote that Christians have their citizenship in heaven:

²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20).

The Apostle Peter, while not specifically using the term ambassador, backs this up as he was inspired to write the following:

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Christians are part of a royal priesthood and a holy nation. They were not a recognized people, like other nations, but now are essentially ambassadors for the coming Kingdom of God.

Did you realize that about Christianity?

Along those lines, the late Radio/Worldwide Church of God evangelist Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:

The Church in Prophecy

While most people today suppose that the true CHURCH was rapidly to grow BIG, to become a powerful organization, exerting powerful influence on the world, making this a better world, becoming the stabilizing influence of the world’s civilization, actually Christ founded His Church for no such purpose! In His final prayer for His ONE Church, Jesus prayed: “I pray for them: I pray not for the world … Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be ONE, as we are. … I have given them thy word; and the world hateth them, because they are not OF the world, even as I am not OF the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not OF the world, even as I am not OF the world” (John 17:9-16 KJV).

Those of His Church are described as being strangers and foreigners in this world — AMBASSADORS for Christ — ambassadors representing HIS Kingdom which is foreign to this world — yet never being OF the world! (Hoeh H. Why So Many Denominations? Tomorrow’s World, April 1972)

Christians live on this earth as representatives of that kingdom, obeying human governmental authority. When there is a conflict with the higher laws of God, Christians obey God (Acts 5:29), sometimes suffering for it (1 Peter 4:15-16), but they are not taking part in its politics.

That being said, ambassadors are not to be fearful, even if they are from a numerically-small country. Notice what Jesus told His people:

³² “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Actual Christians are part of a “little flock”, as also the Apostle Paul said only a remnant was being called in this age:

⁵ Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)

Real Christianity has been spoken against since the beginning. When he got to Rome, Paul was told:

²² … concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere. (Acts 28:22)

It should be no surprise that those who still hold to original Christianity are often spoken against these days—including by accusers of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) on the Internet.

God’s people also are to be brave:

⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8)

The unbelieving are cowardly. Christians are to stand for the truth (Matthew 10:32-33).

Anyway, to learn more about Christian living, check out our free online book: Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Christian Success: What does the Bible teach? Does the Bible teach that Christians are to be successful? Are there at least seven laws of success that Christians should follow? How does the Bible teach we are to become successfully spiritually? Does the Bible really teach that Christians should be successful physically? This video answers these questions and more from the Bible. An outline of some of the scriptures used is here: Christian Success Outline.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
The Ten Commandments: Cause and Effect Is everything random? Why do things happen? Are there just two ways? Should Christians keep the ten commandments? A related sermon is also available: Cause and Effect: Two Trees, Two Ways.
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
Building Character: Going on to Perfection Once you have accepted Jesus, do you need to strive for perfection and build character? A related video sermon is available: Going on to perfection and building character.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? If you would like to watch videos covering subjects of this article, you can click on the following links: Why YOU? Why Do YOU Suffer? and What is the meaning of your life?
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
The Seven Laws of Success Booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong that can help people become successful.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.