Revelation 5 tells us that God has ransomed a people for his glory from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Jesus Christ is alone is declared worthy to bring to an end all the sin and suffering of this world because he has made these people a kingdom and priests to our God. And because of this, thousands of saints and angels worship Him, saying “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!”
During my time in China, I saw clearly what this worship of Jesus demands of the Church now, and what it demands of me. Last November God used numerous means to call me to go on the STAMP China trip. I offered numerous reasons to avoid going on the trip, But God graciously removed from my life all the things I coveted rather than heeding his call.
During the four weeks I spent in China, I was able to share the Gospel with Han Chinese who had never heard the Gospel clearly proclaimed. I was able to visit an underground training school full of Chinese nationals with a zeal for the Gospel and for prayer that humbled me, because I have far too great a fear of man. I met a Muslim-Background believer who is, by all accounts, the first baptized follower of Jesus from his people. I saw God at work in more ways that I have time to recount now. But most of all, God opened my eyes to the truths of Scripture regarding God's people and their calling in this world.
After God scattered the people of the earth at Babel and made them into may nations, he called Abraham to be one through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed. As the story of Salvation develops, this blessing comes ultimately through Abraham's descendant, Jesus. Through Jesus we have been made children of Abraham, and we have inherited the mission of being a blessing to the nations. At Babel the nations were scattered. In Jesus, God has called them back together as one people. We are given the honor—and responsibility—of having been made agents in the harvest of the nations.
My point is this: Scripture shows that I—and we— are not saved for the sake of ourselves. We are saved for the sake of the glory of Jesus. We are called out of darkness to be a light in the darkness. Each of us is called to consider the difficult question of whether we are to go. Each of us is called to prioritize our lives to support the mission of God. Each of us is called to labor in prayer for those who go.
God used my time in China to make the Scriptural call to go to the nations more clear to me. And it seems that He is calling me back to China in the near future. But STAMP China, and Scripture, and the stories I have told you, are not just about me. I pray that the reports you have heard today heighten your awareness of how God is restoring the nations to himself. I pray that you will seriously consider what the mission of God's people requires of you. The calling is not my own. As the body of Christ, we are united in this singular effort.
A common refrain on our trip was that after seeing what we had seen, our lives could not be the same. Now you, too, have heard the stories. How must your life change?
2 comments:
well said. Who is up for singing some Getty?
David - I was taken by your reference to Rev 5. It holds much meaning to me as a Christian expat who has lived in, among other places, Saudi Arabia. I'm with you in understanding that God is at work and His work is succeeding in some pretty surprising places!
After reading through your blog, I’d like to invite you to participate in a blog book tour I’m having October 1. I think the topic – the Biblical Principles of pleasing God – would be of interest to both you and your readers. If you’re interested, here’s a link with some additional information. Again, great post. Ava
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