What’s an embassy, what’s the Church, and the way are the 2 comparable? In keeping with the Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, an embassy is a physique of diplomatic representatives; particularly: one headed by an envoy. An embassy represents its authorities overseas. In keeping with the Bible, the Church is the Physique of Christ-sinners who’ve positioned their religion in Jesus for salvation, thus making them residents of heaven. Christians are due to this fact, sojourners on earth; our house is heaven, and the apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20, we’re Christ’s ambassadors (licensed representatives) right here on earth.
Therefore, each entities are established to characterize larger powers (their governments). If one needs to know one thing about one other nation, one may go to that nation’s closest embassy to search out out, or ask any of the diplomatic representatives of that nation they encounter. In the identical method, people who’d prefer to learn about God and heaven may contact the Church or Christians. As Christians, we should always current our house and Lord in a method that makes folks outdoors the Church hungry for what we’ve, and the way they might additionally know our Lord in a private method. It’s our accountability as residents to introduce others to our Lord!
Among the people who’ve by no means traveled outdoors their nation of origin in all probability have little or no information concerning the significance of Embassies. They do not care a lot concerning the position embassies play in worldwide issues. Having been born and raised in Ghana, and at present residing in the US of America, I do know a bit concerning the features of embassies.
When contemplating relocating to a different nation, one cannot simply up and transfer there with out encountering an embassy. Each nation has necessities for immigration from different nations. To ensure that me to realize entry to the US, I needed to go the US Embassy in Ghana, current the required documentation (fairly in depth) for processing, after which be interviewed. On approval, I used to be issued a visa, allowing me to enter the US. That embassy was representing the federal government of the US: defending its pursuits, implementing its legal guidelines even outdoors its shores, and ensuring it’s seen in the absolute best mild.
Equally, Christians are representing their Lord and Grasp, Jesus Christ, right here on earth! Because the Church-heaven’s embassy, we should always current the entire counsel of God to the world. We’re all ambassadors, and may keep that standing twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week! We are able to present of us outdoors the Church how one can develop into fellow-citizens of our unbelievable nation, whose designer and builder is God Almighty (see Hebrews 11:10). Armed with the data we share, these involved in turning into residents will probably be directed to put religion in Jesus Christ, and may then stay up for their new house, the place nobody will ever shed one other tear or expertise illness or demise. We are able to additionally present them how they will contribute to the environment friendly operating of the embassy by faithfully utilizing their God-given skills and skills.
An Embassy does not run unbiased of the homeland; communication is ongoing whether or not there are issues or not. Likewise, the Church must be in fixed communication with the Father, “Pray with out ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV), as a result of with out Him we will do nothing (see John 15:5). Traces of communication are at all times open; there aren’t any busy indicators or voicemail messages. In reality, he’s at all times with us and is aware of our wants earlier than we even understand them.
One other position embassies play is searching for the welfare of their residents within the nations the place they’re primarily based. Their residents name on them after they run into hassle. Likewise, the Physique of Christ helps each other, regardless of the want. We pray for one another, encourage one another from the Scriptures, and meet social and monetary wants as a lot as is feasible.
Embassies and their ambassadors present vacationers how one can get hold of visas to the nations they characterize. The time is coming when it will likely be too late to acquire a visa into heaven, so allow us to (the Church), get critical in our efforts to indicate the world how one can get hold of a visa into heaven-call on Jesus!
