The Missional Church

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“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 
a people belonging to God, that …” (1 Pet 2:9a)

The conjunction “but” requires us to consider the few verses before verse 9.  We find that in 1 Pet 2:7-8 that the Apostle Peter in his letter to believers was referring to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ.  The Apostle stated that all believers are chosen and appointed by God, and the reason is so “that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9b).  In Jn. 17:21, 23, Jesus prayed for all believers that, through them, the world may believe/know that God the Father had sent God the Son (Jesus) into the world to die on the cross for our sins.

This divine purpose for our existence as believers in Jesus is the reason the Apostle reminds us that as believers, we are “aliens and strangers in the world”.  He exhorts us therefore, to abstain from sin and to live exemplary moral lives that portray godly living and glorify God. (1 Pet. 2:11-12)

Some tend to think of God’s call as simply a call to conversion or to full-time Christian service.  It is more than that.  God’s call is an invitation to come to Him, enjoy His love, receive His rest and to respond with obedient service.  God desires that our obedience to Him be motivated by love and not fear.  What God desires is surrender to His love, because “God is Love” (Jn. 17:23).  To know God genuinely is to love Him, and those we love we want to serve.  Too often, we offer God the obedience that is not a heart response, but merely a dutiful one.  God commands us: “Love Me with all your heart”.

To be a missional church we need to:

  • Return to our first love (Rev. 2:4).
  • Reflect on what placing God above self, seeking His will and trusting in Him really means and how it applies to our lives (Mt 6:33-34).
  • Deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Christ (Lk. 9:23).

We will be assured of God’s blessings as we live lives worthy of His calling, because in loving obedience, our beautiful feet bring good news (Rom. 10:15).