Daily EncouragementSample

What are the motives for missionary work? The answer is given here, in terms of the gospel. To look for it elsewhere - in terms of education, ecology, medical work, famine relief or even a campaign against nuclear weapons - is to forget a basic fact. “Christian missions cannot live on improving the heathen, but only on passing them from death to life,” said P. T. Forsyth. And for that you need a gospel to proclaim.

The supreme motive is the salvation of men and women - “I do all this for the sake of the gospel.” The nature of the gospel brings glory to him - it is “the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1). Its fruit is “to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12-14).

The second motive is the salvation of men and women - “I do all this . . . ” “This” involves recognizing their true condition - “the whole world is a prisoner of sin” (Gal. 3:22) - and identifying with them without compromising the message in deference to their culture.

The third motive, surprising as it may seem, is the satisfaction of the missionary - “ . . . that I may share in its blessings.” And why not?!