Paul is the one who says that we are all “Ambassadors” for Christ. But he also uses the term after he introduces the spiritual armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6. The war that exists in the world is a spiritual war, and we need spiritual armor in our battle. He addresses that issue and even describes the various parts of the armor. I expect, since Ephesians was written from a Roman prison, that Paul could very well have watched his guard don his armor as he wrote about the spiritual warfare. He mentions the shield, the chest plate, the girdle (belt), the helmet, the boots, and the sword. Being a spiritual warfare, Paul concludes his instructions for doing battle with the importance of prayer. He writes in verses 18-20, “To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” The prayer was specifically for his fulfillment of his mission as an ambassador and twice he mentions the need to speak the message with boldness. Jesus has conquered the powers in the spiritual realms and although there are remnants around that we still do battle with, the victory has been won. A final revolt will also be put down one day by the King of Kings. We need to remember that we are the victors and we will be victorious.

In a very real sense, we are all “ambassadors in chains.” There are always forces that will stop at nothing to silence the message God has entrusted to us. Those forces and authorities and powers (see Ephesians 6:10-18) are not of a physical nature. Paul makes it clear that the war we’re in is not against “flesh and blood.” No, it’s against spiritual foes. FDR said on the brink of World War II, that the main thing we have to fear is fear itself. Everything seems to work to intimidate us and often puts our tongues in chains. Paul understands that he must speak it boldly. But it’s also to be spoken appropriately. Appropriate boldness honors the message that our home office has sent us to deliver.

C. H Spurgeon said: In the olden times, when Oriental despots had things pretty much their own way, they expected all ambassadors from the West to lay their mouths in the dust if permitted to appear before his Celestial Brightness, the Brother of the Sun and Cousin of the Moon. Certain money-loving traders agreed to all this, and ate dust as readily as reptiles. But when England sent her ambassadors abroad, the daring islanders stood bolt-upright. They were told that they could not be indulged with a vision of the Brother of the Sun and Cousin of the Moon without going to their hands and knees. “Very well,” said the Englishmen, “we will dispense with the luxury, but tell his Celestial Splendor that it is very likely that his Serenity will hear our cannon at his palace gates before long, and that their booming is not quite so harmless as the cooing of his Sublimity’s doves.” When it was seen that ambassadors of the English Crown were no cringing petitioners, the British Empire rose in respect of Oriental nations. It must be just so with the cross of Christ. Our cowardice has subjected the gospel to contempt. To preach the gospel boldly is to deliver it as such a message ought to be delivered. (See C.H. Spurgeon, “Feathers for Arrows,” Page 23)

Chuck
“Let me speak boldly to you… God raised this man Jesus to life, and of that we are all witnesses…” Acts 2:32f