Be As Missional As God Is
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 12; Psalm 10 (NIV)
(Tony Tng, Chairperson, Missions)
READ:
Genesis 12 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The migration journey of Abram to Canaan began in Chapter 11 and continued into Chapter 12. The end of Chapter 11 described Terah moving his family from Ur in search of a better life in Canaan. In Chapter 12, it began with God calling Abram to uproot from Haran to a place He would show him. The man-made decision of Terah ended in Haran but the God-made decision brought them to the Promised Land. Over the years in Haran, the family had acquired a certain amount of wealth and life must have been reasonably comfortable for them. Just as they were feeling nice and comfortable, Abram heard a call from God to uproot from their comfort zone of Haran to a place that God did not mention but would show him as they moved along. This must have been very unsettling for Abram but in the calling to the Promised Land, God made a few promises:
1. God would give Abram and his descendents a land, The Promised Land (v1).
2. God would make him into a great nation and bless him and his descendents (v2).
3. God would shield him and his descendents from their enemies (v3a).
4. All peoples on earth would be blessed through Abram (v3b).
So, Abram obeyed God, took all his possessions and at the age of 75 years (when most of us would want to take it easy on cruise holidays) began a journey to the Promised Land.
As I observe these promises of God, I cannot help but notice that they were not reserved only for Abram’s family. While it may seem so, especially if we only consider promises 1 – 3, they actually culminate in promise 4. While enjoying God’s promises, Abram has to keep in mind that through him, God wants all in the world to be blessed, which would mean both the Jews and the Gentiles. God had planted this seed of missionary vision in Abram and his descendents. Ultimately, this promise was fulfilled through the work of Jesus Christ, who came through this lineage to save both the Jews and Gentiles. Our God is a missional God who wants all men to be reconciled to Him and wants us to be His messengers to bring His message to the world.
APPLY:
Just like Abram heeded the call of God to embark on the journey to the Promised Land, I have been called by God to begin my discipleship journey into the Kingdom of God. Just as Abram obeyed, I must do likewise. As God made four promises to Abram, He also makes four promises to us:
1. That there will be a room prepared for me in His Kingdom (John 14:2)
2. That He will pour out His Spirit on my offspring and bless my descendents (Isaiah 44:3)
3. That I will undergo trials but I will not be crushed (2 Cor 4:8-9)
4. That anyone can be reconciled to Him through my witness (Acts 1:8)
During national service, I had a sergeant who led us in a simulated attack of an enemy position at the top of a hill. The whole section of soldiers obeyed his first command. We never questioned his order because soldiers are trained to be disciplined. We passed his order down the line and each of us would charge up the hill in formation. The action seems so easy to obey. We hear the command, pass it down the line and act on it.
So, why isn’t it just as easy to obey God when I hear His Call? God’s call is just as simple. He commands that I am to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey God’s precepts (Matthew 28:18-20). Our God has not changed in His character. He was a missional God when He called Abram. Today, He is still the missional God who planted the same missionary vision in the Great Commission. The question, perhaps, is whether I am ready and disciplined to obey God. God has reconciled me to Himself through Christ (2 Cor 5:18) and is now calling me to be His ambassador imploring me to bring this message to those who have yet to hear about Him: Be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20).
Are we ready to heed this call and be Christ’s ambassadors so that through us they can be reconciled to Him?
DO:
To be Christ’s ambassador is not a walk in the park but I know I can be if I am disciplined. This is what I would like to be and do.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, the God who makes all things including sinful men who walk this earth. Because of Your missional character, I am grateful for Your grace and mercy reconciling me to You, through Jesus Christ. Give me the grace to discipline myself to be an ambassador for Christ. Give me the courage to bring the reconciling message to those who have yet to know Christ. May You prepare the way and opportunities for me to bring more people into Your Kingdom. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
