"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14
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Are all Christians called to be missionaries? God's Word clearly encourages us without qualification, exclusion, or exception to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47)
Most people think of the word "missionary" as describing a person who travels to far away places to establish a church among those never having heard the Gospel. While this is one description of a missionary, the word is significantly more far ranging. Anyone who shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone else is a missionary. Whether on a foreign field, or in our own neighborhood we are missionaries by God's definition. Also, sharing the Gospel is not limited to verbal communication. The truth of Jesus Christ is often more effectively evidenced by actions, as the nature of a person is much more than spoken words.
So, to what mission field are we sent today? Will it involve the workplace, the community, or even the church? Will we be submitted and surrendered enough to allow God's leading? Remember, you will likely be the only Bible some people read today, so . . . .
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Onward Christian soldiers!
Bob Benson
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from My Utmost for His Highest. . .
October 15
_______________________________________________
Are all Christians called to be missionaries? God's Word clearly encourages us without qualification, exclusion, or exception to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47)
Most people think of the word "missionary" as describing a person who travels to far away places to establish a church among those never having heard the Gospel. While this is one description of a missionary, the word is significantly more far ranging. Anyone who shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone else is a missionary. Whether on a foreign field, or in our own neighborhood we are missionaries by God's definition. Also, sharing the Gospel is not limited to verbal communication. The truth of Jesus Christ is often more effectively evidenced by actions, as the nature of a person is much more than spoken words.
So, to what mission field are we sent today? Will it involve the workplace, the community, or even the church? Will we be submitted and surrendered enough to allow God's leading? Remember, you will likely be the only Bible some people read today, so . . . .
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Onward Christian soldiers!
Bob Benson
***********************************************
from My Utmost for His Highest. . .
October 15
The Key to the Missionary’s Work
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world —1 John 2:2
The key to the missionary’s message is the propitiation of Christ Jesus—His sacrifice for us that completely satisfied the wrath of God. Look at any other aspect of Christ’s work, whether it is healing, saving, or sanctifying, and you will see that there is nothing limitless about those. But—"The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"—that is limitless ( John 1:29 ). The missionary’s message is the limitless importance of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins, and a missionary is someone who is immersed in the truth of that revelation.
The real key to the missionary’s message is the "remissionary" aspect of Christ’s life, not His kindness, His goodness, or even His revealing of the fatherhood of God to us. ". . . repentance and remission of sins should be preached . . . to all nations . . ." ( Luke 24:47 ). The greatest message of limitless importance is that "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins . . . ." The missionary’s message is not nationalistic, favoring nations or individuals; it is "for the whole world." When the Holy Spirit comes into me, He does not consider my partialities or preferences; He simply brings me into oneness with the Lord Jesus.
A missionary is someone who is bound by marriage to the stated mission and purpose of his Lord and Master. He is not to proclaim his own point of view, but is only to proclaim "the Lamb of God." It is easier to belong to a faction that simply tells what Jesus Christ has done for me, and easier to become a devotee of divine healing, or of a special type of sanctification, or of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But Paul did not say, "Woe is me if I do not preach what Christ has done for me," but, ". . . woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" ( 1 Corinthians 9:16 ). And this is the gospel—"the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
Amen!
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"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
