Ambassadors For Christ

Introduction

A concept often referred to throughout the New Testament is that as Christians we are citizens of two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the various kingdoms of man. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us also that we are “ambassadors for Christ.” What does it mean to hold citizenship in the Kingdom of God while living day-to-day as citizens of the United States and in particular as leaders or spouses of leaders in the military? And how do we apply the idea of Christian ambassadorship to the military service and community we are a part of?

Scripture references

Study the following biblical references and consider how they address the questions listed below. If using this outline with a Small Group, consider assigning different Scriptures to different individuals and relating them to one or more of the questions below. Then scroll down the page to review our recommended resources for the topic of Ambassadors for Christ and consider how the various articles or podcasts provide further insights relating to this topic.

II Corinthians 5: 11, 16-21; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:18-20; Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:8-9; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:13-15; 1 Peter 3:15; I Corinthians 12: 12-31

Questions

1. An ambassador represents one kingdom or nation to another, usually while living in the other kingdom and among its people. In what ways can we be effective ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, while living in and being a fully participating member of the “kingdom” of the U.S. military?
2. Do you see yourself as a Christian-officer, or an officer-Christian? What difference does it make?
3. What is/are the message(s) we bring from the Kingdom of God to the kingdom of the military?
4. What are some of the applications of Jesus’s metaphors of salt and light to our service as military officers and participation in the military community?
5. How do we decide in our service in the military of a religiously pluralistic and theologically neutral nation what is properly “Caesar’s” vice what is God’s?
6. Many current OCF members came to Christ or to a serious approach to their faith through the witness of other military members. Is it right and/or possible to evangelize in today’s U.S. military? Why/why not, and if so, how and under what conditions?
7. How might body-life principle Paul wrote about in I Corinthians 12 apply to our ambassadorship within the military community?