Insular or Missional?

Leviticus 25; Psalms 25-26; Acts 22 

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, ‘Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!’”

Acts 22:21, 22

The anger of the Jews in Jerusalem was against anyone declaring God’s desire to covenant with Gentiles. They would rather kill Paul, than share with others, the covenant they made with God.

Are there people whom we believe are outside of God’s kingdom mission, people who are unworthy of God’s love and mercy?

When we understand and experience God’s love and mercy we realize that we, too, are unworthy. Jesus’ message to Paul was to “Go”, the same message he gave to his disciples in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). “Going” is a choice we make every day in order to live on mission with Jesus. 

If we choose not to go, are we living in an insular, Christian subculture, unconcerned with those around us who have not experienced God’s covenant love?

Living on mission with Jesus is costly, but living for ourselves is even more costly.

“Lord Jesus, I choose to go today and join you in loving others with your gospel, for your glory.”