Do you identify yourself as a missionary? Is that what you do as a vocation, or is it a part of your everyday life as you go to and from work, and mix with all those you come into contact with each day? Being a missionary is not just an amazing calling, but should be the goal of every Christian. Spreading the gospel to one, or one hundred thousand makes no difference in what we are asked to do, and to what we are called. Whether you refer to yourself as an evangelist, a missionary, or just a Christian... spreading the gospel is what we are meant to do.
“Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:21-22 ESV
Did you think this instruction was simply for the disciples? Well think again, because we are all meant to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, even if it is limited to our own county, city, neighborhood, work place, school, or family.
"A missionary is one sent by Jesus Christ as He was sent by God. The great dominant note is not the needs of men, but the command of Jesus." - Oswald Chambers
If we do the work of evangelizing, and do this because of our desire to excel in the service of our Lord, then we are not answering God’s call. Equally, if we do so out of pity for those we deliver the message to, then we have not been called as well. But, if we witness to others, and spread the good news of Jesus because we have been led to do so out of an intense commandment, and urging, from Jesus Himself, then we are called and will not fail.
One of the great dangers of a missionary is that as they go into the world they become so moved by the human condition of the people there that it impairs their ability to deliver the message as they were called to announce. If you have been sent to spread the word then look not to the left or the right, do not consider yourself the physical savior of those you are sent to enlighten... otherwise you will not be able to give the message as you should, and will become bogged down in a goodwill mission instead. Oswald Chambers recognized this danger and wrote these words:
"In missionary enterprise the great danger is that God’s call is effaced by the needs of the people until human sympathy absolutely overwhelms the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, the conditions so perplexing, that every power of mind falters and fails. We forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of the people, nor the education of the people, nor their needs; but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ—‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.’" - Oswald Chambers
Spreading the gospel begins the process of salvation and the changing of lives, and it is hard not to let the joy of this accomplishment turn into pride. I am speaking not only of those who are spreading the word, but also those who venerate the missionaries. A certain sign of this is in counting... I have saved over X number of souls, I have established churches in X number of places... well you get the idea. God knows the number, and the honor in this belongs to him. Keep yourself humble in your service. You are no more special in the darkest part of Africa or the furthest reaches of the Far East, than the little boy on the playground back home that tells a playmate about Jesus. One soul, or a thousand, it is the answering of the call that is of great importance. Oswald Chambers travelled the world and witnessed for Christ, but he died in near obscurity. If not for his wife, we would not have his words today, so listen as she shares his thoughts again:
“When looking back on the lives of men and women of God the tendency is to say— What wonderfully astute wisdom they had! How perfectly they understood all God wanted! The astute mind behind is the Mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God
through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God’s wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God.” - Oswald Chambers
The true men and women of God do not usurp His authority, nor do they claim His honor and grandeur. We are to be simple in our following, and unobtrusive during the praise of God for the things He has led us to accomplish... humble. I read a guidepost article that offered six steps to help us in this regard; here they are:
1. Remember who’s in charge - and praise Him.
2. Pray for a humble heart.
3. Pay more attention to our own faults than to the flaws of others.
4. Don’t hide behind your dignity - its pride’s favorite hiding place.
5. Try not to watch yourself worship.
6. Serve others.
Nothing too profound in these steps until we begin trying to do them. It is in doing such things that we come to realize our place in God’s plan, and look around to find that we are just one of a great many instruments in His orchestra. What if all of us acted as though we were virtuosos, or the conductor? What is all of us felt we could improve upon the very music we were being asked to play?
So stay humble, deliver the gospel at the call and command of Jesus, give God all the glory, and serve, serve, serve.
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your call which sends me to witness to others, and I thank you for being able to see you at work once the gospel of Jesus Christ has been delivered. You selected me Father, and I thank you for that. Help me to be ever cognizant of the fact that the mission I am on is yours, and that although I feel great joy in the accomplishment, it is only by your hand that I succeed in any way. All glory and victory is yours, I am but a tool in your hand. If I should ever begin to praise myself, or accept the praise of others, please remind me Father that I am unworthy to even gather the chaff from the threshing room floor. It is only by your grace that I am able to harvest the wheat of your field. Praised be your name Gracious Lord, now and ever more.
Rich Forbes