The Mission of the Church
Scripture Reading — Acts 1:1-6
"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6
After spending three years with Jesus, his closest followers still did not understand the essence of his mission. Jesus had not come to restore the earthly kingdom of Israel, as his fellow Jews had hoped. And to stop his disciples from turning into political activists after his return to heaven, Jesus stated clearly that they had to go out into the world to bear witness to his saving power.
As Christians bear witness, however, don't they also have the responsibility to help poor and needy people? Of course. But our primary mission as Jesus' followers is not to establish an earthly kingdom where human definitions of peace, justice, and equality prevail. Our mission is to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and be witnesses to the life-changing mercy of Jesus Christ, from whom all blessings flow in the flourishing of God's kingdom (shalom).
Sin is the true cause of social and political injustice in this world. And the message of salvation that is lived and witnessed by Christians through the power of the Holy Spirit is the essential answer to all the world's troubles. As a Christian, are you true to the mission our Lord has given the church? Are you searching out ways to tell your neighbors here and around the world of Christ's saving love?
Lord, help me to stay focused today in my testimony for you. Holy Spirit, give me the power to be a witness to Christ's life-changing power. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the author — Paul M'pindi
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