“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in
him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless
before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through
Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious
grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of
his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to
us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and
things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been
predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to
the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be
to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised
Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession
of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.1.3-14.esv
It’s ironic when we think of Mission as simply converting the lost. Some of us
think this means Atheists are the only ones lost. Frankly, this is untrue. I see
many groups come to my door to share their beliefs and provide supplementary
materials as a foundation for their faith. It’s astonishing when some believe Jesus
is the brother of Lucifer. Others believe they must complete works and follow
ordinances as God’s Grace is simply not enough. Still, others see Jesus as the Arc
Angel Michael.
I am not writing this to offend. I am writing this because I love others and want
them to read the Bible without the supplements. They need to strip away the
teachings and relearn through the Bible directly. That’s where Mission really
comes in. We are not trying to divide, we are trying to unite through the
Gospels. We let God’s Word itself and the power of Christ do the work through
the Holy Spirit.
You know what I have found amazing? When those with supplemental
documents actually read the Gospel directly and find out that salvation is
through Grace and the blood shed by Christ on the Cross without the need for
works, they are dumbfounded. Surely, God does not give a gift freely without
works. Surely, the blood of Christ is not enough. When one shares the Bible and
encourages them to read and seek the Father for guidance and let them decide,
the power of God takes over.
The mission does not end with this encouragement to read the Bible. Many of
those who are lost in supplemental doctrine are leery to move to Biblical
teachings because their world is believers of the supplemental doctrine. If they
move to Biblical truth, they need us to be there for them. We need to help them
deal with their community loss by welcoming them into our community. We
need to love them, support them and allow God to give them the courage for
truth. Showing them the truth through scripture is only the beginning of loving
them.
So, when you have someone approach you with supplemental doctrine, ask
them about their beliefs in Christ and confirm it through the Bible. Ask them about
their need for works to enter God’s Grace and confirm with Biblical teachings
like this one:
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own
doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.2.8-10.esv
Mission work is not to change people. It’s to show them the truth through the
Gospels and plant a seed. It’s not to divide them, it’s to love them through the
Word of God. It’s to open the door so God Himself can show them the truth.
So, Missions can be done simply by sharing the Bible with those ordered to
actually come to your door to preach. Treat it as a sharing moment with them
and welcome them to your door with open arms.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
