“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Paul calls believers “ambassadors for Christ”. This term indicates that we are to represent the Kingdom of God much as any ambassador represents his or her nation. As such representatives we are to make an appeal to all we meet to be reconciled to God for Christ has made such reconciliation possible by His death on the cross. In this season of Lent we ought to take up our calling with great sobriety and zeal for those who do have not heard of the love of God in Christ, who do not have faith in Jesus are not clothed in Christ. Consequently, when they appear before the judgment seat, they will be naked and bound for condemnation.
Paul urges us to preach the truth out of compassion and love for these others in order to prevent them from suffering judgment and hell. Many in the world, for whatever reason, are under the mistaken impression that salvation depends on them. They work to reconcile themselves to God (or whatever god they profess) through their religious, spiritual, altruistic or charitable deeds and actions. Many others think that everyone will get to heaven, whatever form that may take, regardless of how they lived their lives. And still others do not believe in heaven or God: this life is all there is. If we love people it is our duty and calling to tell them about almighty God’s act of reconciliation that changed everything. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself on the cross. He did all the work so we do not have to. We must carry out our mission with compassion and love despite the opposition we may face, for those not in Christ are bound for judgment.