Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission in 1865 (renamed Overseas Missionary Fellowship in 1964), often interviewed candidates for the mission field. Once he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. “And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?” he asked them. One young man replied. “I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Another said, “I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ.” Others gave different answers. Then Taylor said to the group, “All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you – namely, the love of Christ.”

Life is full of choices. Our priorities shape how we make such choices. What is truly important to us comes through in what we do and don’t do. It is motivation and heart desire that drives and defines our priorities and in turn, our decision-making. In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, the Apostle Paul discusses a fundamental, overriding priority for every Christian to be an Ambassador for Christ. An Ambassador is one who represents his country and acts as an emissary. That becomes our MISSION in life and our CALLING.

First, Paul knows the fear of the Lord (2 Cor 5:11). He once walked in darkness before God’s knowledge and glory touched his heart. He knows that fearing the Lord centres on submission to Jesus and he persuades others to do just that. Second, he says the love of Christ compels him and notes that since one man, Christ, died for all men, all men have thus died (2 Cor. 5:14-15). The Corinthian Church knew about Jesus’ sacrifice, but it didn’t shape their lives. They were aware of His death on their behalf but were not motivated to live on His behalf. Sadly, many Christians today are prone to respond to Christ’s sacrifice more like the Corinthians, than like Paul’s. Thirdly, Paul was motivated to be a faithful Ambassador for Christ because this ministry came from God (2 Cor 5:18). The role of the Ambassador originates with the same God who created the world and sustains it by His power.

Life is full of choices. But God does not leave us without direction for such choices. Instead, He gives us priorities that make the way clear and every Christian is Christ’s Ambassador. Reconciliation needs to permeate our lives. In our interpersonal relationships, we need to be quick in forgiving, versus stubbornly arguing or wagging fingers at others. In ministry we need to focus on those outside the Church walls as well as those who are already comfortably within them. In response to our role(s), we must live out our “calling” as an Ambassador and committed reconciler.