You Are a Missionary

You are a missionary. I know what you are thinking, “Not me. I live in the states!” So goes the typical conception of Christians in North America. We are not missionaries, but we know we are supposed to pray for and support them. Now, I don’t mean to denigrate those Christians who have left North America to preach the gospel to other nations. Obviously that is needed and extremely important! Local churches should prioritize financial and prayerful support for foreign missionaries.

What I am concerned with is that those Christians who stay home fill as if they have done their part by praying for sending a check. Not the case. If we simply define missionary as one who is sent by God to tell the gospel to others, then we are all missionaries. A missionary is a person sent to promote the Christian faith. That’s all of us.

Every single Christian is mandated to make disciples. A disciple is one who makes disciples (Matt 28:18-20). Disciple-making is not optional for New Testament Christians.  Every single Christian has been sent. This may strange at first, but think about it. You do believe in the biblical teaching that God is meticulously sovereign, don’t you? “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall” (NLT).

Christian, you are not in your city by accident. Before your grandpa’s grandpa had his first job, the Lord knew that you would be working where you are working right now. You live in the neighborhood that you do by divine decree. Acts 17:26 reads, “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” That includes your location. You are there because God has put you there. Are you representing his rule well there? Do you neighbors know about him?

Every one of us are sent ambassadors (2 Cor 5:18-21). If America ever was a “Christian nation,” it certainly isn’t now. It is the new mission field. Ask the Lord to grant you his eyes. Are you serious about the Lordship of Christ? How are you seeking to serve your neighbors and gain a hearing for the gospel? Do you know their names? Are you intentional in your workplace? Do you view your co-workers as those who will one day face God in judgment if they do not turn to Christ?

You are a missionary. If you have neglected this aspect of your calling and identity, join me in pursing gospel intentionality all the time in all aspects of life.

“As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)