"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
The Bible tells us that we are Christ's ambassadors, a people who plead with others on His behalf. We represent Him whenever we face people, and everything we say and do as Christians will always impact how others see Christianity.
If we evaluate ourselves in light of how the Word of God tells us that we represent Christ, how do we fare? Do we get top marks for Christ-likeness? Or do we get failing grades in Godliness?
The answer is for each and every one of us to know for ourselves.
In this article we'll take a look at a few ways by which we can all represent Christ correctly and accurately in front of people, including ourselves.
This is written in the hopes of helping equip fellow believers to become more effective witnesses of Christ.
Ways Christians can accurately represent Christ
Christ is our example in everything. Romans 8:29 tells us that God wants us to be made like Him, fashioned into His likeness. God wants us to have the character and likeness of Christ.
That said, here are a few ways we can represent the Lord Jesus to others.
1) By prioritizing God's righteousness above all
The Lord Jesus prioritized God's will and His righteousness above all. In everything that He did, He did what was pleasing in God's sight. He tells us in Matthew 22:37-38,
""'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment."
How do we do that? We find the answer in Matthew 6:33.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
2) By exercising God's love, patience and grace to people
Next, we represent Christ with our actions. If we love God, we will learn to love His objects of love: people. John 3:16 tells us,
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
God so loved us that He sent Jesus Christ for our salvation. He sent Jesus for all of mankind, not just for a select group of people. However, unless people believe in Christ, they will perish and not have everlasting life.
It is with His love for all of us that we must also love others. Because Christ was loving, patient and gracious to us, we must also learn to be like that to others so that they draw near to Him.
Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 22:39,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
3) By showing and demonstrating how it is to live a Godly life
Lastly, we accurately represent Christ in the eyes of all when we live a Godly life that's blameless and above reproach.
Christ had a lot of critics and haters, but even they won't be able to deny the fact that He lived a sinless, righteous, and holy life on earth. Everything He ever did, He did in obedience to the Father:
"Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19)
Why does Jesus do nothing except what the Father wants Him to do?
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38)
If we can live for the Lord alone, we will surely do nothing but what pleases Him. And that means living a Godly life in faith in the Son of God (see 2 Peter 1:3; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:6).
