Brand Ambassador Part 2

If you haven’t read through my first article titled Brand Ambassador, take a moment to go read it now before you begin this follow-up version (just click on the blue letters above).

Being a Brand Ambassador for Jesus isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s REALLY hard. It requires a level of sacrifice we aren’t always willing to make. This is especially true in our western American culture.

If I were to sum up our culture in one word, I believe comfortable nails it. And anything that threatens to disrupt that comfort is quickly rejected. I believe that most of the reasons we fail at being a Brand Ambassador relate back to comfort or discomfort in some way. As I explore practical application of being a Brand Ambassador for Jesus, I want to keep this backdrop of our American culture in mind.

Let’s break this down by way of referring back to the Jesus Brand Ambassador definition I wrote in the first article.

A Christ Follower Brand Ambassador is a person who represents and evangelizes Jesus, supports the Gospel and acts as the embodiment of Jesus’ identity through words and actions.

There are four key words above that we will dive into (over this and future articles). Represent. Evangelize. Support. Embody.

Representing Jesus is so much more than the things we do in the public eye, especially in the public eye of other believers. Have you ever noticed we tend to be on our best behavior in front of fellow church-goers, and believers?

One theme I frequently see play out as a negative representation of Jesus is the one of being hurt. How do you represent Jesus to the person who has hurt you, or your family? (Sometimes it IS your family who hurt you!)

For some of us, it is easy to fall into the trap of repaying evil for evil. “Nobody messes with my family. I’ll show them!” will fly out of our mouths as we burrow into our thoughts on just how we’ll show them. Perhaps we’ll show them with a mere cold shoulder. Perhaps we will show them by telling anyone who will listen how they wronged us. Perhaps we’ll allow these retellings to become a little exaggerated over time, and convince ourselves of a new truth. Or maybe when the time comes that person needs help (that we are able to offer), we refuse in the name of “giving them what they deserve”.

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus is speaking and He said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”.

In Romans 12: 17-21, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Romans with these words, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

“Ok, Joanie, so I know what the Bible says – but you don’t understand. I am hurt, I don’t feel like being nice to them.”

Oh I get it. Really I do. I’ve been there. It’s uncomfortable isn’t it? But if our true desire is to represent Jesus, we have to make an intentional choice to sacrifice our will for the Lord’s will. Sacrifice our need to pay them back. Choose to embody Jesus.

But how Joanie?

The steps I’m about to share with you are not a new concept. You may have heard your fair share of sermons about this, or read other articles about this, OR read the scriptures yourself. The key to unlocking the concept of these steps is accepting the scriptures, choosing to deny your fleshly desires and choose to live / respond in the Spirit.

First, do what Jesus did. In John 2, Jesus found men selling goods at the temple and it angered Him that they had turned His Father’s house into a marketplace. He channeled His anger though, by braiding a cord first. Braiding a cord is a time consuming, tedious task. One that allows time to breath, think, PRAY! So, take the pause. Pray it over.

Second, re-read the scriptures that apply (those referenced above). Soak in the words. Ask the Lord to help you accept them.

Third, as Romans 12:18 says – “ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”. Did you see that? As much as depends on you. You have no control over what someone does to you, but you DO have 100% control how you respond.

I believe Matthew 18:15 tell us how we should respond. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”. Go talk to the one who wronged you, in private. It might appall you if I could share the amount of time I’ve wasted NOT having this conversation, later realizing the amount of time I would have gained with the person had I just done it sooner.

And finally, forgive, letting go of revenge. Forgiveness is more about your spiritual freedom than it is about letting someone ‘get away with something’.

Remember this, representing Jesus requires us to get our of our comfort zone (sulking in anger and thinking revenge), to do something Jesus would do – CHOOSE to do these things no matter how the other person receives them.

Lord Jesus,

Help us to be more like you. Help us to choose the desire to represent You well over the desires of our flesh. After all, we know our battle is a spiritual one, not physical. Forgive us for the times when we are overcome with evil and yank us back to a right place with You. Thank You for the example You have given us, may we choose to walk in the Spirit after it. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Come back next week for Part 3, as we continue unveiling practical examples of being a Jesus Brand Ambassador.

Joanie