Dear Family and Friends,

I pray God blessed you immensely with joy and peace this Christmas Day.  

Today, as we start counting down to the end of the year, I want to briefly introduce you to a neighborhood in central Tokyo, one that is unlike any other in Japan.

It’s a neighborhood filled with huge mansions surrounded by manicured gardens that sit behind high walls and gated driveways.

Close by is a park so natural in beauty, one can easily forget you’re in one of the most populous cities in the world.

The local shops and restaurants give a hint of who lives here. The neighborhood grocery stores carry goods not only from Japan but from all over the world. The local restaurants are best described a quietly upscale. Why?

This neighborhood is home to a large number of embassies. And the homes of ambassadors.

By now, you may be wondering why I’m writing about a neighborhood in Tokyo.

It’s because we who follow Christ are very much like those ambassadors living in Tokyo.

Read Paul’s words to the church in Corinth.

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”

God reconciled (katallássō) us to Himself. He received us into his favor.

“And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

God committed (tithémi), or placed a purpose in us to execute.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ NIV

Christ’s ambassadors (presbeúō) are to act as established statesmen (diplomats) who are trusted, respected and authorized to speak as God’s emissaries (represent His kingdom).

Here Paul explains his mission in life. God gave him the work of taking the message of reconciliation through faith in Jesus to as many who would listen. 

Did you notice that Paul says – we?

We too have been given this title – ambassadors for Christ! We are Jesus’ representatives to the world. 

According to a U.S. State Department website, the roles and responsibilities of ambassadors include:

  • Speaking with one voice to others on U.S. policy.
  • Serving American interests and values.
  • Serving Americans with professional excellence, the highest standards of ethical conduct, and diplomatic discretion.

Our roles and responsibilities are surprisingly similar, including the one thing that stands out.

While these ambassadors may live in a foreign land, their entire focus is on America.

We too are a people who live in a foreign land. And would you agree that our entire focus should be on representing the interests of God’s Kingdom and Christ Jesus?

But is this how we really live?

Pastor Francis Chan wrote:

“People accuse me of going overboard in preparing for my first ten million years in eternity. In my opinion, people go overboard in worrying about their last ten years on earth.”

Let’s face it, we tend to live our lives, and seek things of this world, like we are of this world. And we all have much more than just our last ten years on earth to worry about…

But I say this to all of us: it doesn’t have to be so.

Sure we should care about what’s going on around us. But let’s never lose sight of our roles as ambassadors. And most of all, let’s never forget that we always have Jesus by our side and the hope He brings!

We will soon welcome in the New Year. As we do so, let’s resolve to live the rest of our lives as who we really are – ambassadors of Christ.

What does this mean?

Let’s speak with one voice – sharing the good news that is Jesus. 

And model the interests and values of Jesus to the rest of the world in all that we do.

My friends, these are just a few of the ways we can go overboard in preparing for our first ten million years in eternity.

In love always,