When I first heard about “dominion,” I’ll be honest – it sounded a bit intimidating. But as Christ’s ambassadors here’s what I’ve learned: it’s actually about something beautiful that God designed from the very beginning. Remember in Genesis, when God created Adam and Eve? He gave them an amazing responsibility: to take care of the earth and everything in it. That’s what true dominion is – it’s being God’s caretakers, His representatives here on earth. It’s not about bossing people around or grabbing power; it’s about reflecting God’s love and wisdom in how we manage everything He’s entrusted to us.
Think about it like this: if you’ve ever tended a garden, you know it’s not about dominating the plants. Instead, you nurture them, protect them, and help them grow. That’s exactly what God meant when He talked about dominion. It’s about being good stewards of our lives, our relationships, our work, and our world as Christ’s ambassadors. Just like Joseph in Egypt – he didn’t use his position to lord it over others. Instead, he used his wisdom and authority to save lives and help people thrive during a terrible famine.
Practical Dominion in Daily Life as Christ’s Ambassadors
Being a faithful steward of God’s gifts means developing the talents He’s given us. Maybe you’re great with numbers, or you have a knack for encouraging others, or perhaps you’re creative. Whatever your gifts are, using them well is part of living in dominion. Remember Jesus’ parable about the talents? The servants who invested their talents wisely were celebrated – not because they made more money, but because they were faithful with what they were given.
This kind of dominion shows up in every area of our lives as Christ’s ambassadors. At work, it means doing our best and treating others with respect. In our families, it means creating an environment where love and truth flourish. In our communities, it means being salt and light – bringing out the best in situations and people around us. And in our personal lives, it means growing in self-control and character, just like Daniel who stayed faithful to God even in a foreign land.
The amazing thing is, when we live this way, we become living examples of God’s kingdom. Not by preaching at people or trying to force our beliefs on them, but by simply living out God’s principles with love and humility. It’s like being an ambassador in a foreign country – we represent our true home (God’s kingdom) while blessing the place where we currently live as Christ’s ambassadors. That’s what Paul meant when he called us “Christ’s ambassadors” – we’re showing people what God’s love looks like in action.
So let’s embrace this beautiful calling of dominion. Let’s be good stewards of everything God has given us – our time, our talents, our relationships, and our resources. As we do this, we’ll find ourselves growing more like Jesus and making a real difference in our world, one day at a time.
Living a Life of Dominion as Christ’s Ambassadors
Let me share something that changed my perspective completely. When God first created humans, He gave them an incredible mission. In Genesis 1:28, He told them to “fill the earth and subdue it.” Now, I used to think this meant having power over everything, but I’ve learned it’s so much more beautiful than that. It’s about being caretakers of God’s creation, partnering with Him to make the world a better place.
Think of it like being given responsibility for a precious garden. You wouldn’t stomp around destroying plants or bullying the wildlife. Instead, you’d nurture, protect, and help everything flourish. That’s what true dominion looks like – it’s about stewardship, not control.
The Role of Christ’s Ambassadors
You know what really excites me? The fact that we’re called to be Christ’s ambassadors. Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:20 – we’re representing heaven’s kingdom right here on earth. It’s like being a foreign diplomat, but our assignment is even more important!
I remember watching how Daniel lived in Babylon. Despite being in a foreign culture, he stayed true to his identity as God’s representative. He didn’t compromise his values, but he also wasn’t hostile or argumentative. Instead, he served with excellence and integrity, and his life spoke volumes about the God he served.
Being Christ’s ambassador means bringing His values into every area of our lives. When I’m at work, I try to handle challenges the way Jesus would. When I’m with my family, I aim to show the same patience and love He showed. In my neighbourhood, I look for ways to serve others just as He did. It’s not about being perfect – it’s about letting His light shine through our everyday actions.
Stewarding Our Gifts and Talents
In the parable of the talents of Matthew 25. Those servants weren’t just managing money – they were being trusted with their master’s resources. Similarly, God has given each of us unique abilities and gifts. Maybe you’re great with children, skilled at fixing things, or have a talent for encouraging others. Using these gifts isn’t about showing off – it’s about being faithful with what God has entrusted to us.
Managing Time and Resources
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21:5 that careful planning leads to profit. This isn’t just about money – it’s about being intentional with everything God gives us. I’ve found that when I plan my days with prayer and purpose, I’m better able to serve God and others.
Think about how Jesus managed His time on earth. He knew when to work, when to rest, and when to spend time with His Father. He was never in a hurry, yet He accomplished His Father’s will perfectly. We can learn from His example by being thoughtful about how we use our time and resources.
Building a Kingdom-Focused Home
Creating a home that reflects God’s values doesn’t mean having perfect kids or a spotless house. It’s about cultivating an environment where love, truth, and grace flourish. Look at how Joshua approached this: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
For me, this means starting each day with prayer, showing forgiveness when family members make mistakes, and making our home a place where others feel welcomed and loved. It’s about creating traditions that point to God’s goodness and teaching our children to see His hand in everyday life.
Engaging with Purpose
Joseph is one of my favourite examples of engaging with purpose. In Egypt, he used his position to help others, even those who had wronged him. He didn’t just do the minimum – he excelled in his work and used his influence to save lives.
We can do the same in our spheres of influence. Whether we’re serving customers, teaching students, caring for patients, or creating products, we can do it with excellence and compassion. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and wisdom.
The Dominion of Self
This might be the toughest area of dominion – learning to govern ourselves well. Paul talks about the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, and notice that self-control is included. It’s not just about controlling our actions, but also our thoughts and emotions.
David understood this struggle. In the Psalms, we often see him wrestling with his feelings, yet choosing to trust God. Like him, we need to learn to bring our thoughts and emotions under God’s authority. This might mean choosing forgiveness when we want to hold a grudge, or remaining peaceful when circumstances are chaotic.
Impacting Culture through Kingdom Values
Here’s where it gets really exciting – we get to be part of transforming our culture! Not through force or argument, but through living out Kingdom values in ways that attract others to God. Think about how Ruth’s loyalty and character influenced those around her, eventually becoming part of Jesus’ family line.
We can champion justice and mercy in our daily interactions. Maybe it’s standing up for someone being treated unfairly at work, or showing kindness to people others ignore. Micah 6:8 gives us a beautiful template: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Jesus often used simple acts – sharing meals, touching the untouchable, showing compassion – to demonstrate God’s love. We can do the same. Every act of kindness, every moment of integrity, every choice to forgive becomes a picture of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
Living in dominion means looking forward to Christ’s return while making a difference today. Like the faithful servants in Jesus’ parables, we want to be found doing our Master’s business when He returns. This doesn’t mean living in anxiety, but in joyful anticipation.
I’ve learned that true dominion flows from staying connected to God. Just as a branch can’t bear fruit unless it remains in the vine, we can’t exercise godly dominion without daily depending on His wisdom and strength. It’s about partnering with Him to bring more of heaven’s reality to earth.
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to live in dominion. Moses wasn’t perfect, David wasn’t perfect, Peter wasn’t perfect – but God used them powerfully because they were willing to follow Him. The same is true for us. As we submit to His leadership and faithfully steward what He’s given us, He works through us to impact our world for His glory.
Let’s embrace this amazing calling together. Let’s be good stewards, faithful ambassadors, and loving representatives of our King. One day at a time, one choice at a time, we can partner with God to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.