Ministers of Foreign Affairs

As “ambassadors for Christ” we are here “in Christ’s stead” (II Corinthians 5:20) – on divine assignment. As “good soldiers of Jesus Christ” we must “endure hardness” (II Timothy 2:3) – while here on our tour of duty.

This is not our homeland, as we are citizens of heaven.

For our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20, KJV margin, Young’s).

Earthly kingdoms are not our kingdoms; ours is heavenly.

Who … has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

… The Lord … will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom … (II Timothy 4:18).

Earthly rulers are not ours; Christ is our King.

… Our Lord Jesus Christ … Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:14-15).

Though in this world, we do not belong here; we are ministering abroad.

Any government that has official representation in a forgiven land (e.g., ambassadors or soldiers) is responsible for their wellbeing and care. Working on foreign soil is an honor and a privilege, but the fatherland is always responsible for whatever might be incurred in the performance of diplomatic or military service.

Soldiers, or GIs (i.e., “government issue”), belong to the government that they represent. They are not their own, they are bought with a price. As a result, they are not responsible for their own provision and supplies, for what man goes to war at his own cost?

Who goes to warfare any time at his own charges? (I Corinthians 9:7)

Soldiers often find themselves overseas in theaters of conflict situated in hostile nations; their government being responsible for them there. In fact, under such difficult circumstances they would qualify for HDP (i.e., “Hardship Duty Pay,” or “Hazard Duty Pay”).

Ambassadors, as ministers of foreign affairs, will also often find themselves conducting their “foreign ministry” in dangerous situations on unfriendly soil. This is all par for the course when one is living and conducting business away from one’s own homeland, especially when that place of ministry is unsympathetic, antagonistic and intimidating, if not outright perilous – in a word, a society that is at enmity with the government one is representing.

If either a soldier or ambassador is “cut off” from the supply of his country, and must “covertly” operate as a supposed citizen of the country to which he ministers, he will of necessity need to provide for his own personal resources and as well as those of his ministry. But surely his personal expenses will be completely repaid after his tour of duty is accomplished.

My son-in-law works for a company that requires him to travel a lot away from home – even abroad occasionally. He does not have a company account for all the expenses that he incurs in his work traveling on behalf of his company. He must pay for all of these expenses out of his own pocket; but then there is a day of reckoning; a day when he submits all of his personal expenses acquired while in their service. It is then that his company makes it all up to him.

The same is true of our Father.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward His name … (Hebrews 6:10).

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (II Corinthians 4:17).

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:7).

Little wonder that Paul makes use of these two analogies – soldiers and ambassadors.

That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Daily Email Goodies