6 Axioms of Missions

“I have come to the conclusion that everyone is not called to be a soul-winner or to be involved in missions," said an anonymous man recently on a blog. That would make a pleasant hearing, indeed, for those who desire to shirk missions work, but, unfortunately for them the young man's conclusion was erroneous! He would find it exceedingly difficult to substantiate his case from Scripture. So long as the Great Commission is unrevoked, so long as "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" remains in the Sacred Volume, there rests on each believer the personal responsibility of endeavoring to fulfill the responsibility commissioned to us, and for this he requires a special fitness. This fitness can be summed into six axioms of missions.

1. The primary issue is not missions, the primary issue is knowing God. Some Christians live their lives without a proper understanding of who God is, and it affects every aspect of their lives.  People who are intense in their relationship with the Lord will have a right perspective on missions. A proper understanding of the power of God will lead to a proper view of service and trust.  Christ said to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:29 “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” 
2. Missions is more about God than it is about men. There is a God on the page of the Old Testament and the same is on the page of the New that is saving a people – Why? – because they could not save themselves. As amazing as the saving of a soul is the fact remains that the focus remains on revealing who God is and why He should be worshiped rather than on man’s need. True religion consists in the service of the One True God.
3. Missions is overflow. Faith in God must be such that we will expect God to save souls through our instrumentality. Most Believers are not missions-minded. This is because they are not soul conscious. There is no burning hunger in their hearts to see sinners come to know Christ as Personal Savior and then grow in him. In America alone it is estimated that every second literally hundreds of people die and go to hell. The Bible teaches missions, as a biblical mandate, the term commission means a charge not a suggestion or choice but a command. Jesus Himself said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Missions is witness and is natural for all believers. The aim and final reason of every church authorized of God is the salvation and discipleship of the lost; and if there is no zeal to a accomplishing this, then the believer that is in this state has no right to claim to be, in any sense, performing his duty as a member of the church of God. 
4. A missionary is an initiator. The truth is that Missionaries are apostolic rather than pastoral (spreading the Kingdom rather than shepherding the flock). Although God may use a missionary to be a pastor for some time, the primary purpose of that missionary is to disciple a native to take the pulpit. Missionaries are not meant to stay and “do the work” they are meant to get the work started and let the nationals complete the task.
5. The principal activity of missions is discipleship. Adequate preparation is the key to outstanding performance. Time invested in personal development will eventually determine final destination. Commitment to a course differentiates dreamer from doer. All are a product of what has been learned hence the result obtained from endeavors. As a Christian, knowledge will inform actions, action will be judged to determine destination at the second coming of Christ. Hence Paul advised Timothy to take heed to himself and the doctrine (1 Tim. 4:11). As a Christian we must continue to grow to become more like Christ and thus true, biblical discipleship incorporates evangelism and church planting. Jesus instructed His followers to make disciples as a means of expanding His kingdom. Without personal discipleship, it is impossible to make an impact in the life of others. Judgment will begin first in the household of God. As Christians it is a duty to pray for the spirits empowerment so others can benefit from Christ. 
6. The Holy Spirit is the authoritative Agent in missions. Only the Spirit can direct, restrain, call and send the missionary. It is not God that needs the individual to do his ministry but rather the individual who needs God (Matthew 10:20). The church or the board should not subvert the autonomy of the missionary as one called and sent by the Spirit.

Our faith in the Word and power of God must be such that we will expect God to save souls through our instrumentality. By not witnessing that in itself is a sin, and if it should linger in our lives that would put a crippling affect on our affect in ministry for Christ yet all too many believers in our world today are in this situation. May this never come to depict our churches. The missions ministry must start with the impact of a single believer. Revival has never reached the multitude before it first touched the heart of an individual. Every Christian’s first priority is to fulfill the commission given to us by Christ. It is not a choice or suggestion for the believer to reach the lost but rather a specific command given by our Lord. “Go ye into all the world…”

Posted by Caleb

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