Christian Ambassadors Have Diplomatic Immunity
Michael Edwards
For sin will have no “dominion” over you, since you are “not under law” but under grace. Rom 6:14 ESV
Virtually all Christians agree we are saved by grace through faith alone. Yet there is a long-standing debate about the meaning of the phrase “not under law” found in many verses. (Rom 3:19, Rom 6:14-15, 1 Cor 9:20-21, Gal 3:23-25, Gal 5:18, Gal 4:5, Gal 4:21, Acts 13:39).
Some argue that the law is done away with for Christians while others argue that the law still applies. While many think these two groups will never agree, could it be that the actual truth is right in their midst? I believe the following allegory can help.
The Ambassador
When an ambassador represents their country and its leader in a foreign land, it is a well-known fact that they are NOT under the dominion or authority of the law of the foreign host. The laws of the host country exist as always to protect the population from each other's fallen nature, but ambassadors have diplomatic immunity assigned to them.
“The purpose of these privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their official missions on behalf of their governments."
This undeserved favor is not based on their person and covers the ambassador all the way from jay walking to murder.
It is assigned by their home country due solely to the position they hold. Diplomatic immunity is reciprocal between countries and thus both countries benefit.
This immunity means that if they do break the law, they cannot be criminally prosecuted by their host country. No matter what the crime, the worst thing that happens is deportation.
This immunity is provided to give the ambassador “safe passage’ so they can perform their mission in the host country.
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