Mere Missions

124 • M ere M issions : M oving F orward to M ultiply

As a reminder from my Introduction, let me share the needed understanding of the three mandates from God. This understanding will anchor and strengthen you, and the Church, in our primary stewardship. Christians, though strangers and aliens (1 Pet. 2.11), are not excluded from the first mandate which God gave to humanity and that is to be fair by doing justice; to be merciful by doing acts of kindness; and to be humble before God. We would want no less from others, whether saved or unsaved, when we are caught in the unavoidable tragedies of life. We are all bound together as one human race, and we should do unto others as we would want them to do to us. We participate in these no matter what religion is claimed – Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, etc. The unsaved and saved are expected to participate in the care of creation and the needs of humanity. Doing this doesn’t show the world one is a follower of Jesus let alone communicate the dire reality of God’s relationship with sinners and the destiny of their eternal soul. Christians have a different way of showing the world we are followers of Jesus and that is by our love for one another, the second Mandate – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13.35). Jesus of Nazareth, the Lord of His Kingdom Society, gave us a new command that he expects us to be obedient too. Our new mandate is in relationship to each other as members of the Kingdom Society. We are to love each other (John 13.34). It is an active, intentional work of love towards the saints as stated in Hebrews 6.10, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” This serving in the Church, shows no distinction, partiality, or prejudice between the saints, no matter race, status, gender, age, or class. Let the world “see” this inside our own walls and they can’t help but know we are Christians, his disciples (John 13.35). What if someone sees our love for each other, and recognizes we are disciples of Jesus, and desires