Does “missions” excite you? I’m guessing that your answer depends tremendously on whether God’s global cause has been brought to you with a carrot or a stick.
It’s true that Jesus tells us to go to all the people groups on earth and make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)—it’s a command, and our job as a church is to obey. This is our duty. But there’s more to the story. In fact, if missions is merely a duty for us, we will not honor the Lord who reveals his heart for the world in the Scriptures.
Beckoning the nations to join in the praise of Christ is God’s glorious cause for which time itself still goes on (Matt 24:14; 2 Pet 3:8-9). And the summons to the peoples of the world is to come the Lord and “rejoice”—let the nations be glad (Ps 67:4; 96:11; 97:1; 98:4; 100:1). We invite the lost to meet the One who made them and loves them, and to bow before this King in joyful, thankful, hopeful worship! This is no mere duty.
The big picture of God’s direction for humanity is this: “Blessed be God’s glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth! Amen and Amen!” (Ps 72:19). “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Ps 108:5; cf. Num 14:21; Isa 11:9). “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab 2:14). It is a beautiful and thrilling opportunity we have to join the Lord in his spectacular global mission—to share his love, to help people find and praise the One their hearts, deep down, long to adore! That is no mere duty.
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