The Purpose of God (Part 2)

Today’s reading is a continuation of Section 1 of the Lausanne Covenant - The Purpose of God. Read Here.

He has been calling out from the world a people for himself, and sending his people back into the world to be his servants and his witnesses, for the extension of his kingdom, the building up of Christ’s body, and the glory of his name. We confess with shame that we have often denied our calling and failed in our mission, by becoming conformed to the world or by withdrawing from it. Yet we rejoice that, even when borne by earthen vessels, the gospel is still a precious treasure. To the task of making that treasure known in the power of the Holy Spirit we desire to dedicate ourselves anew.

The Purpose of God

God’s saving purpose began with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), continued with Israel (Exodus 19:3-6), and is fulfilled through the church as the gospel reaches Gentiles (Acts 15:14). God’s promise to Abraham will be complete when people from every tribe, nation and language gather before God’s throne to worship him (Revelation 7:9).

The Covenant focuses here on the church’s relationship to the world—to non-Christians and to society. It brings together two aspects: we are called out, then sent into (John 17:6, 18).

What is the Church’s mission as ‘sent into the world’? Evangelism, yes, but not only that. Jesus came not only to witness (John 18:37), but also to serve (Mark 10:45), and we too must do both.

Our mission has three aims:

• to extend his kingdom (Matthew 6:10, 33)
• to build up Christ’s body (Ephesians 4:11-16)
• to glorify his name (Psalm 115:1; Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14)

The last of these is the ultimate goal of mission and the reason we were created.

We often go to one of two extremes. Some are so eager to live in the world that they absorb its values and lose their distinctiveness (Romans 12:1, 2). Others are so afraid of compromise that they withdraw from the world entirely (John 17:15; 1 Corinthians 5:10). The best way to avoid these two mistakes is to engage in mission. Since we are sent as Christ’s representatives, we cannot conform to the world (or we stop representing him), and we cannot withdraw from it (or we have no one to represent him to).

Reflection:

Which mission aim—kingdom, body, or glory—needs more focus in your life?

Prayer:

Consider praying the confession at the end of this section of the Covenant.