Who gives us the “right” in being missionaries? In other words, on what authority do we leave our culture, move to a new place, preach about Jesus, call sin sin, call people to repentance, and grow churches? Living in a post-moder-esq society brought this idea to my attention especially in the current political climate as each side is claiming that the other doesn’t have the right to do or spend what they’re doing. Here we are planning on moving to Portugal and I’ve never stopped to ask why I believe we ought to.

It’s easy to assume that because we’re all Christians we should be involved in missions. But that is a foolish notion. Not everyone who calls themselves Christians believes that we have the right or the duty to be engaged in evangelism, whether in America or Europe. Some see missions as crusader-like or authoritarian but Jesus didn’t see it that way:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus claimed all authority for himself and through that authority sent his disciples to make more disciples. He sent them out.

So the first principle on the “rightness” of missions is that we go because Jesus sends. We don’t go on our own authority but on the authority of the one we call Lord.

(To be continued)

Tags: Missions, Jesus, Missionary Life