Living Missionally, Living Purposefully
Missio Dei is a Latin expression that means “mission of God.” It is often used in connection with the work of the church, including the preaching of the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. More broadly, mission Dei encompasses the entire purpose of God for creating the heavens and the earth and giving man dominion over earthly affairs.
To the superficial reader of the biblical narrative, the fall of man in Eden may seem to have interrupted God’s earthly purpose. Actually, God foresaw the fall and his overall mission plan included the calling of some as special agents for the restoration of his purpose to establish eternal blessedness and righteousness on the earth (Isaiah 66:22–23; Ephesians 1:3–6). This is what the Christian life is about — one of participation in the earthly mission of God.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Elsewhere, he uses the metaphor of “ambassadors” of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador is someone who represents his commissioner in a particular domain of interest. Believers are representatives and advocates of God in a “world [that presently] lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Our mission goal, under Christ and according to God’s own plan, is to bring the entire creation to experience the saving power and rule of God (Zechariah 14:9; Romans 8:19–22, 14:11).
As ambassadors of God, we are commissioned citizens of a heavenly kingdom, of which the church is an earthly embassy or mission station (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22–24). This spiritual vocation demands a missional approach to life. We should recognize that all that God has privileged us with are purposefully designed for the specific part he has called us to play in his earthly mission (1 Corinthians 7:17; Colossians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 12:7). We should be mindful to perform our allotted task so that, at the end of the present assignment, we will receive the commendation and promotion, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:23).
This is why the prayer request to know and accomplish God’s will should be an integral part of our spiritual practice (Matthew 6:9–10). When Paul had his life-transforming encounter with the risen Christ, his intuitive appeal was, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). There is also the case of the “Rich Young Ruler,” who, despite his strict religious observance, knew that something significant was still missing in his life. In his restlessness, he asked the Lord, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (see Matthew 19:16). Our souls will only find true rest and fulfillment in submission to the will and purpose of God for us.
The flip side of living missionally and purposefully is living conveniently and expediently. This could mean following the path of least resistance or doing what we think is most profitable or will attract the approval of men. Now, it is indeed possible for one to be in God’s will, flourishing and experiencing his peace and a sense of fulfillment without much ado. However, as part of our spiritual training, God often requires us to make a conscious choice or decision to enter into his will.
The challenge to intentionally yield to the will of God may come as we mature spiritually and God calls us to step out from the shadow of those he has used to nurture us, that we also may be principal instruments for advancing his mission. He prompts and speaks to us through diverse means, but when necessary, he may use circumstances, including painful ones, to start us moving. The movement may involve geographical relocation, but it need not be so. It may simply require stepping up our act where we are by taking initiative, being more deliberate, or making a conscious commitment. The key is to ask and trust the Lord to guide us (Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 30:21).
We should particularly be wary of the dangerous situation in which a person refuses to act despite the Lord’s repeated prodding, and even tries to justify their alternative course of action. This is the deadly sin of stubbornness, a kind of pride, and it can be so subtle and get to where the person attempts to bribe or manipulate God with “sacrifice” or “service.” As God rebuked Saul, a prime example of this kind of insolence, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22–23a).
The consequences of missing God’s will can be far-reaching. Jesus said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22–24). Christ is obviously speaking rhetorically here. He knows who the rebellious people are in a literal sense, because he calls them practitioners of lawlessness. What he means by not knowing them is that their supposed works and services in his name were their own programs and had nothing to do with advancing God’s mission.
Living missionally according to the will and purpose of God may cost us something. But the cost is the kind of sacrifice that God desires and delights in. As the apostle encouraged, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35–36).
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