The news has been awash with Canada’s accusation against the government of India for criminal activity on Canadian soil ranging from extortion and intimidation to murder and the hiring of assassins, all at the behest of politically driven people close to India’s top leadership. Of course, vociferous denials and counter accusations from the Indian government and Indian media have followed, and international relations is fast devolving into a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats and commissioners, and the likelihood of serious repercussions for visa holders and people travelling between the two countries. As the allegations come under greater scrutiny this week by a Parliamentary committee, what became immediately clear was what the Canadian government says was India’s misuse of the role of people with diplomatic status in Canada. According to International Law, diplomats are not subject to prosecution by the laws of the country they have been appointed to serve in. This “immunity” has a long and complex history that began during the Roman Empire. Rome championed that “killing the messenger” did not help the cause for meaningful negotiation between countries. With a few exceptions throughout history, such as the Iranian storming of the US Embassy on November 9, 1979, this law of diplomatic immunity has been the cornerstone of nations through the years. But it is an immunity not to be used for criminal activity, but to bring peace and understanding.
Through this entire saga, it is the role of the diplomat that has made me think. Did you know that the Bible calls every believer “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20)? In case we aren’t familiar with the terms, ambassadors are the highest ranking of all the diplomats. What a diplomat should be, an ambassador should be much more. Accordingly, ambassadors don’t highlight themselves. They don’t take the One they represent lightly. Ambassadors know the One they serve, and they are deeply familiar with the message that they must carry to the place where they have been called to go. I wonder to myself as I read the news reports how many Christians would be accused of criminal activity when their deeds are exposed. How many would be guilty of mispresenting the God of peace by being unforgiving and angry people? How many would take God’s name in vain or walk in moral failure when the doors are shut behind them? I awoke this morning to read a Canadian politician say, “Diplomats need to know better.” I agree. And my prayer is that each of us who bear the Name of Christ would do well. We have a message of reconciliation of Christ to the world. Let’s be good ambassadors.
