Living As Christ’s Ambassadors: Walking In Wisdom And Sincerity

We live in a world overflowing with words. Social media, news, opinions—everyone has something to say. But Jesus didn’t call us to just talk about Him. He called us to be His hands and feet in the world.

This might sound radical. Maybe you grew up in a church where sharing the Gospel meant memorizing verses, preaching to strangers, or debating theology. Jesus shows us another way. He says, Give yourself. Do what I’ve been doing.

Being an ambassador for Christ isn’t just about words—it’s about how you live, how you love, and how you show up in the world.

Jesus told His disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
That’s a lot of animals in one verse, and each one teaches us something.

• Sheep are vulnerable. That’s us. We’re not called to dominate or control but to reflect Jesus, who laid down His power for the sake of others.
• Wolves are predators—the world isn’t always safe for followers of Christ.
• Snakes are cunning. In biblical times, snakes were considered smart but deceitful.
• Doves symbolize peace, sincerity, and purity.

So, what’s Jesus saying? Be wise, but don’t lose your integrity. Speak truth, but don’t stoop to deception. Stand firm, but don’t fight like the world fights.

A lot of Bible translations use the word innocent here. A deeper meaning is guileless.
Innocent isn’t about perfection, it’s about guilelessness. It’s about being real, sincere, and straight-forward. It’s about being without manipulation, dishonesty, or hidden agendas.

When Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8), He’s talking about being without deception—not perfection.

Jesus also said, "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39)

At first glance, this seems like He’s telling us to be passive. But in the culture of His time, a slap on the right cheek wasn’t just an attack—it was an insult. It was a way of saying, You are beneath me.

Turning the other cheek wasn’t about accepting abuse. It was about saying, I have worth. I will not be demeaned. But I also will not retaliate in kind.

Jesus calls us to stand up for dignity—not through violence or revenge, but through love that refuses to be dehumanized or to dehumanize others.

The world is full of injustice. So how do we respond?

Jesus shows us that the way we live exposes the darkness around us. When He was crucified, the Roman authorities thought they were shaming Him. But through His sacrifice, He exposed their corruption.

Paul explains it like this: "Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:15)

Jesus didn’t defeat evil by fighting on its terms. He exposed it through righteousness, humility, and love.

When we choose not to repay evil with evil, when we love our enemies, when we are without deception, we unmask the world’s corruption.

If you’re anything like me, you might hear all this and think, I can’t do this. I mess up every day.

But here’s the most amazing part: Jesus trusts you to be His hands and feet.

Think about the disciples. These were ordinary people who made all kinds of mistakes. Peter denied Jesus three times. James and John argued about who would be greatest. Thomas doubted.

Yet Jesus still sent them out. He said, "Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

He wasn’t looking for perfection. When we choose to authentically live out the message of Christ, even in our imperfection, the Spirit is with us, and we can let His life flow through us.

It’s not complicated—but it is challenging. Here are three practical ways to walk this out:

1. Live with wisdom and integrity. Jesus calls us to be wise, not naive. In our wisdom, we must never compromise our honesty, kindness, or love.
2. Stand for dignity—for yourself and others. If someone treats you with disrespect, you don’t have to retaliate. Don’t become like your enemy. Your worth comes from God. Live in that confidence.
3. Give what you have received. Think about what God has given you—grace, forgiveness, inclusion, love. Now, go and share that with the world.

Living as an ambassador for Christ means going against the grain. It means choosing love when hatred is easier. It means choosing honesty when deception seems more effective.
But it’s worth it.

People are tired of fake religion. They don’t need more polished words. They need to see people who live what they believe. People who show up with kindness, who listen before they speak, who care even when it’s inconvenient.

Jesus didn’t just say, Go and tell people about me. He said, Go and be my hands and feet. That’s what changes the world.

And here’s the best part: You don’t do it alone.

Jesus made a promise to His disciples. He said, "When they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20)

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to be the perfect Christian. You just have to be willing.

God’s Spirit will work through you— your actions, your love, your kindness. God's Spirit will be with you whatever you walk through.

Every day, you are a living representation of Jesus to the world. Not because you’re perfect, but because He lives in you.
So, as you go out into the world, remember:

• You don’t have to have all the right words.
• You don’t have to fight like the world fights.
• You don’t have to be perfect.

You are invited to be sincere, be wise, and be willing to share what you’ve been given.
Because that’s what it really means to be Christ’s ambassador.