On Tuesday, I asked "Is God a missionary God? And, are we sent people? If so, how are we living that out?" So what are the answers? Here are some of my thoughts based on reading Missional Church by Darrell Guder and The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch.
God is a God on mission. What is that mission? It is to reconcile all people to himself. Can you imagine that? The God of the universe wants to connect with each person on earth to restore the relationship. He does not need to be reconciled to us because he is perfect and has not broken the bond. We need to be reconciled to him. And, that's his mission: to reconcile people to himself.
Mission means 'sending'
So the answer to the first question is "yes, God is a missionary God." How does he go about accomplishing that mission? He sent Jesus into the world. He became God with us, identifying with those he was trying to reach. In Jesus, God came to be with us. He moved into our lives and communities. Why? He became one of us to redeem us.
Yes, we are a sent people
As God sent Jesus into the world, so he sends his people into the world. Jesus told his followers that they were to be his witnesses to the people around them. That's still true today. God's people are sent people - we are missionary people. What are we sent to do? We are sent to bring the love of God to people who do not yet know him. We are to be instruments of reconciliation - reconciling people to God.
Living it out
The only way to truly be a missionary, or sent, people is to live it out in the world around us. We can't be missionary people and only attend church on Sunday. It means getting into the community. Living as sent ones will require us to interact with the people around us in such a way that they experience the love of God. What does that look like? Maybe it means holding a door open for someone, or bringing a meal over, or having lunch with a co-worker who is going through a hard time or any number of acts of kindness. Sent people do not perform random acts of kindness; they perform intentional acts of love to demonstrate the truth and life of Jesus.
Do you recognize the missionary moments in your life? Are you living as a sent person? Is God using you to change lives?
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