15 February 2026

THE GOD OF MISSIONS

(Biblical Teachings on The Christian Life.: BTCL 21)

The main reason why we are involved in missions is because our God is the God of Missions. Even from the very beginning after Adam’s Fall, God already had planned that the “woman’s Seed” –prophetically referring to Christ- would defeat Satan in his evil plan to captivate the world (Gen.3:15). Then the call of Abraham was also for a missionary intent:“in you all the nations will be blessed” (Gen.12:3). God blessed Abraham so that he would be a blessing; and God would multiply his blessings so that he could bless all the peoples of the world when he is faithful in being a blessing to others.

What does that teach us? God’s blessings are not to be kept selfishly to ourselves but are to be shared with others who are in need. When we are faithful in sharing our blessings, God will in turn bless us more – so abundantly that we can now bless “the nations”. How do we bless the nations? By sharing the love of Christ through the Gospel and showing practical love in helping and uplifting the poor. The Early Church did that: “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who has need…so that they were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales …and it was distributed to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35).

Israel as a nation was called to be “a Light to the Gentile nations” who did not know Jehovah (Yahweh), the only True and Living God of Creation. The Lord said, “I will make you a Light for the Gentiles, that My Salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). In the same way, Jesus said to the Church and Christians: “You are the Light of the world…Let your light shine before men …so that they may glorify the Father” (Matt 5:14, 16).

The Great Commission of our Lord repeated five times in the Gospel and Acts reiterates God’s mission purpose for the Church and Christians. Disobeying it is deliberately rebelling against His will and intent. Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, which has dire consequences (1 Sam.15:23). As a Church we must be committed to the Great Commission to please God and be blessed by Him. Not to be involved in Missions is not living in God’s will.

Missions involves sacrifice. To save the world, God sacrificed His only Begotten Son. Jesus gave Himself as the Atoning Sacrifice for our sins. The one called to be a missionary sacrifices his life and career prospects for Christ. Going on mission trips involves sacrifice in going to places and peoples that are not so “comfortable” for us, unlike going on a luxurious holiday. Giving to missions as a Church is sacrifice instead of budgeting for more selfish comforts for enjoyment. C T Studd, at aged 17, received an inheritance of UK 5 million pounds and gave it all to missions. Then at 24, as a millionaire, he gave up everything to become a missionary to Africa. He said, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him”. How much are we willing to do for Jesus today?

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