Tuesday, January 5, 2016

A Unique Missionary Opportunity




The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) is a command, and is the responsibility of every Christian. If you’ve been taking this mandate seriously, you have probably been wishing you could go on a missions trip—short term or longer-- but not very sure about it.  When we think about traditional missions trip opportunities, we need to consider what is involved in the process,  including picking a geographic location, raising support, getting a passport and visa, getting immunized, purchasing a round-trip ticket, and of course, tearfully leaving loved-ones behind. All that sounds like a lot of preparation; however, there is a unique opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission that does not require any of that.

So what will this unique opportunity entail? It will cost you nothing more than the cost of your current living expenses; in other words, no increase in your daily expenditure. It requires no immunization, no airline ticket, no passport or visa, and no tearful goodbyes. All you have to do is leave your home or apartment and perform your usual routines: stroll through the neighborhood as usual, go to work or school, and go to the bank if you need to transact a financial business, or go shopping if you needed to buy something.

What is so unique about this?

This is a unique opportunity because there are people in all these places who have not heard the gospel, or do not quite understand it. All you need to do is prayerfully share your faith with whomever you meet, or invite them to church or whatever small-group you might be a part of.  Missions doesn’t always mean you have to leave home or your country of origin. Mission work is all around us, even in our homes, and on our streets. If God specifically calls you to leave home and go to a foreign country, that will be a different story, but until then, be diligent about sharing your faith right where you are and wherever you find yourself on a day to day basis.

Our sharing should be both by word and deed. Showing love and kindness to people usually opens the door for us to verbally share the love of God. So let’s look out for and grab opportunities God places in our path. Like in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-37), let’s go out of our way to show kindness to those who need us. Let’s be creative in finding ways we can serve our neighbors and friends, and in so doing be able to share the gospel of Jesus that brings salvation to all mankind. The Great Commission should be taken far and near, home and abroad!

We’ve been saved through the efforts of others who obeyed the Great Commission; let us also obey it so many more will be saved. The gospel spreads through multiplication, and we are all called to share it wherever we go. Let’s not waste time sitting around, waiting for another prompt from God; this is it. We need compassion for the lost, and the zeal to share with them. God has given us all we need to live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3), and that includes the courage and boldness to share with others.

Word of caution: we have not been called to convert anyone; our responsibility is to share the love of God. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to convict men of sin and convert. We need to follow our sharing with prayers that the hearts of those we share with would be softened and that they’ll understand their need for salvation. Follow-up contacts by phone, text, or email could help the process, and let’s remember, “A wise person wins souls” (Proverbs 11:30 NLT). Also, conversions don’t happen overnight in every situation, so prayerfully exercise patience.


So as you see, sharing the gospel is not that complicated. The unique opportunity is available to all Christians. And until God gives you specific instructions to go to another country, seize this unique opportunity, and enjoy the Great Commission right here at home! 

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