Living as Representatives of Christ

To represent Christ is to live as His delegated ambassador in every relationship, conversation, and circumstance. Our words, actions, and attitudes should point others to the One whose name we bear.

Christ, Our Representative Before God

Before we can represent Christ to the world, we must recognise that He first represents us before the Father. Jesus is the mediator between God and humanity, the one who enables us to reconnect with God (1 Tim 2:5). As our great High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf, understanding our weaknesses and inviting us to come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb 4:14-16, 8:1).

Jesus is also the exact representation of the heavenly Father. In Him the invisible God becomes visible, revealing the Father’s nature, love, and purpose to humanity (Jn 14:9; Heb 1:3). Because we are being conformed to the image of Christ, we too can become a clearer reflection of God’s character in our daily lives (Rom 8:29).

The Church: Christ's Representatives on Earth

As Christians we are ambassadors representing God on this earth. The focus is not on us; we are merely the delegated ambassadors of another, called to carry out His wishes (2 Cor 5:20). This means living by the principles of His Kingdom, seeing those in need as our neighbour, and doing to them as we would like done to us (Lk 6:31, 10:30-37).

When people look at me, do they see Christ?

Jesus was the exact representation of the heavenly Father, revealing His nature to humanity; in turn we represent Jesus to the lost (Mt 5:13-16, 25:35-45). We should be an accurate representation of Jesus, with our lives patterned after His (Eph 4:1-2). Paul captured this when he said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). We are to follow in the steps of Christ who did not live by the standards of this world, but instead revealed the nature of God and how we as believers should aspire to live (1 Pet 2:21-23).

A simple but searching way to evaluate our response in any situation is to ask, "What would Jesus do?" This is not a slogan for self-righteousness, but a practical filter for Christ-like decision-making. When faced with a difficult choice, a hurtful remark, an opportunity to compromise, or a chance to show compassion, the question turns our attention away from self-interest and toward the character of Christ. It invites us to consider His teaching, His example, and His Spirit within us. As His representatives, our actions should reflect His love, truth, grace, and holiness. The more we know Jesus through Scripture and prayer, the more naturally our responses align with His (1 Jn 2:6).

Before responding consider WWJD

Are we doing it in a way that makes the unsaved want to know Him too? Am I growing in my likeness to Christ and so more accurately portraying His love, care and spiritual concern for others?

Empowered by the Spirit for Ministry

The secret of Jesus’ ministry was His relationship with the Father and the Spirit which He had without measure (Jn 3:34). The Holy Spirit reveals the heart of the Father to and through us, making available everything that belongs to Christ (Jn 16:12-15). We do not represent Christ by our own strength; we are merely channels or vessels for Him to operate through. This is why we are to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), so that there can be life-giving, refreshing streams of His life flowing from us (Jn 7:37-39). He is our example of how to live in relationship to God and how to translate that into ministry by bringing heaven’s riches to earth.

“As the Father sent me, I am sending you” — this is made possible by the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:21-22). God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went about doing good and healing all those under the power of the devil, because God was with Him (Act 10:38). Jesus declared, “The works that I do you will do also; and even greater works than these will you do” (Jn 14:12).

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Mt 28:18-20). He gives us the right to use His name to bring release to those in spiritual bondage and minister healing to the sick (Mk 16:17-18). What an incentive to press into God, to live a holy life and obey the Spirit’s leading.

Am I consistently being a good representive of my Lord?

Reflection and Application:

Do my daily choices reflect Christ’s character to those around me?
Am I relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, or on my own strength?
Who in my life needs to experience God’s love through me this week?
How can I grow in likeness to Christ so others see Him more clearly?