“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1Corinthians 9:22)
We are saved fundamentally to bring others to the same glorious experience of salvation. In the same vein, we are called to discipleship to make the ministry of reconciliation as pragmatic as possible. In retrospect, being a Christian transcends mere empty rhetoric and quiet contemplation; it is about weaving genuine faith into the fabric of everyday life. For this reason, living “missionally” is being made all things to all categories of men—all people—with the singular, paramount goal of bringing them unanimously to the only Way, the exclusive Truth, and quintessentially, the Life. We cannot afford to be dormant, inactive, and lackadaisical about this critical issue; this will only make the devil ecstatic and exultant. Rather, we should be passionately and actively engaged with sharing the transformative love of Christ wherever we go and whatever we do. Think of this as a 24/7 engagement. When the enemy tells you to recline and retire, re-fire! Instead of quitting and down-tooling, re-invent and reignite your commitment. The Great Commission—the sacred “go and make disciples of all nations” in Matthew 28:18–20—is not just reserved for missionaries or a select few; this commission is, in itself, a call to action for one and all without any exemption.
Paul said, “I . . . have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20–21).
Paul, the revered apostle, did this—preaching the gospel of repentance towards God—publicly and from house to house with consistency. Regrettably, many ministers have stopped preaching repentance and are just content with making the people happy instead of being saved and holy. We are basically brand ambassadors for Jesus, walking models of his love (2 Corinthians 5:20). That means letting our light shine as the Lord himself instructed. And that light must shine brightly, not just in grand gestures, but in the seemingly mundane moments. Additionally, the gospel must not be confined to church walls; it must gush out into our workplaces, slip into schools, and penetrate into our neighborhoods—essentially, everywhere we happen to be. Our primary sphere of influence should be construed as our mission field, and places that are farther from us must not be neglected. Where we cannot physically gain access due to distance, our resources can do marvels by narrowing the gap. Like Paul, we should be ready to spend and be spent for souls. Amazingly, the apostle was glad about this fact: “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you. . .” (2 Corinthians 12:15). Even so, must we!
Living “missionally’’ is poles apart from being so overly engrossed with pseudo, coercive, and aggressive proselytizing from other faiths. This lifestyle prioritizes genuine conversion to Christ; it focuses on embodying Christ’s teachings as well as loving our neighbors—“love thy neighbor as thyself,” as the Bible enjoins us to do (Matthew 22:39). This mindset centers on becoming the kind of people who make others want to know more about the King of this heavenly kingdom.
The pivotal question begging for answers is how can we practically and unanimously develop this coveted lifestyle? Paul, who modeled this lifestyle, used a multifaceted approach, like a multi-layered cake, to achieve phenomenal success:
- Share your conversion testimony to reveal your personal transformation; it is a powerful tool. Listen actively to others, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine empathy. Connection often leads to genuine repentance.
- As Christians, we must engage with the world, like Christ, embodying salt and light. Use the Bible as your guide. Volunteer, help neighbors, and perform small acts of kindness. Pray for others and live with integrity; let your actions speak louder than words. Practice hospitality safely and build connections.
- Finally, get involved in your community—attend local events and be a part of the fabric of your neighborhood. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’’ (Mathew 5:16).
This kingdom lifestyle overshadows grand pronouncements or dramatic displays; it is about consistently embodying the love of Christ in every interaction. It is about being the biblical example we wish to see in the church and in the world outside of it. It is a commitment to lifting up the Person and the gospel of Christ by default perpetually. Living missionally is a glorious calling extended to every follower of Christ, not just the chosen few. It is about letting our lives be a living testament to the transformative power of the gospel, one interaction at a time. It is inundating the earth with the glory of God just as the waters covers the sea.
-Bishop Enis James Kolawole / Africa General Presbyter