Mere Missions

T he K ingdom : E mbrace • 185

“being transformed from glory to glory.” There is movement taking place within us as we are being conformed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8.29) with the completion taking place on the Day of Christ (Phil. 1.6). That Day has not come yet. We only experience a foretaste and not the fullness of the Kingdom. As George Eldon Ladd said, it is the “Not Yet/Already Kingdom.” We are to be on our guard and alert because we do not know the time when he will return (Mark 13.33). Standing guard and alert doesn’t mean inactivity. We must keep moving forward keeping in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5.25) as He directs His Church in missions. And as we move forward, we must embrace.

Connection: Rules of Engagement (ROE)

All people naturally seek things. To aimlessly go through life is not how we are created. People need something that gives them worth, meaning,

purpose, existence. It makes us who we are. It could be anything from seeking a title like a PhD to aligning oneself with a sports team. Not that these are bad in-and-of themselves but where are they in the priority list of the heart? Are they first? Are you the master dictating to yourself these priorities in your life? There is only one instance where the Lord Jesus gives His disciples a mandate with an order of priority and a sure reward and that is found in Matthew 6.33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Jesus calls all of humanity to seek and commit to the rule and reign of God in our lives. We are to seek this first. For those who like to set goals of priority then this sums it up. It is nice and neat. It is simple but not simplistic. It will cost you everything yet give you everything. Not only is this our first