“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
I used to think that missionaries were “radical Christians,” an impossible aspiration for an “average” Christian like me. I didn’t believe I could have what it takes. I doubted that God could ever use me in His grand scheme of redemption. The nations seemed far out of my reach, and I was pretty okay with that. I was captivated by missions stories and testimonies in my church, but I dismissed every mission opportunity myself as a young believer because I assumed missions was for them, not me.
That is until I dug into the Scriptures myself and recognized every Christian’s undeniable role in the Great Commission and saw the purpose and plan of Christ’s mission through the church weaved into all of the Bible. I was not exempt.
I failed to recognize that obedience to Christ means dying to self, my perceptions, my dreams, my wants and desires, and submitting myself wholly to my Creator and His plan for my life. Would that require risk? Inevitably. Would it always warrant the acceptance of others and their unfailing support? Not usually. Would it be painful and lead me down a path of suffering? At times. But would the eternal joy and reward in Jesus Christ, and the glory of His name be worth the price? Absolutely.
What would radical obedience look like in your life? Would it look like devoting yourself to unceasing prayer for those most in need of the gospel and those laboring to reach them? Would it look like giving sacrificially and joyfully to the work of missions around the world? Would it look like taking the initiative in your church to engage and mobilize others to pray, send, and go? Would it look like stepping out in faith and offering yourself to go on mission for your church?
If any number of these things could describe you, then what is holding you back? Personal comfort? Relationships? Financial security? Worldly ambitions? Whatever it is, will you trust that the glory of Jesus Christ is worth the risk?
Wherever you are, MissioSERVE is here to encourage you and help guide you and your church to take those first steps of obedience in fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Will you trust Him? And will you let us help you along the way?
I used to think that missionaries were “radical Christians,” an impossible aspiration for an “average” Christian like me. I didn’t believe I could have what it takes. I doubted that God could ever use me in His grand scheme of redemption. The nations seemed far out of my reach, and I was pretty okay with that. I was captivated by missions stories and testimonies in my church, but I dismissed every mission opportunity myself as a young believer because I assumed missions was for them, not me.
That is until I dug into the Scriptures myself and recognized every Christian’s undeniable role in the Great Commission and saw the purpose and plan of Christ’s mission through the church weaved into all of the Bible. I was not exempt.
I failed to recognize that obedience to Christ means dying to self, my perceptions, my dreams, my wants and desires, and submitting myself wholly to my Creator and His plan for my life. Would that require risk? Inevitably. Would it always warrant the acceptance of others and their unfailing support? Not usually. Would it be painful and lead me down a path of suffering? At times. But would the eternal joy and reward in Jesus Christ, and the glory of His name be worth the price? Absolutely.
What would radical obedience look like in your life? Would it look like devoting yourself to unceasing prayer for those most in need of the gospel and those laboring to reach them? Would it look like giving sacrificially and joyfully to the work of missions around the world? Would it look like taking the initiative in your church to engage and mobilize others to pray, send, and go? Would it look like stepping out in faith and offering yourself to go on mission for your church?
If any number of these things could describe you, then what is holding you back? Personal comfort? Relationships? Financial security? Worldly ambitions? Whatever it is, will you trust that the glory of Jesus Christ is worth the risk?
Wherever you are, MissioSERVE is here to encourage you and help guide you and your church to take those first steps of obedience in fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Will you trust Him? And will you let us help you along the way?