I am often asked what is my motivation for missions. What keeps me encouraged on the mission field and in ministry? One of the greatest motivations for missions is my belief in definite atonement. Definite atonement is the theological truth which teaches that when God sent his Son to die, he had in view the definite acquisition of a group of undeserving sinners, whose faith and repentance he obtained by the blood of his Son.
In definite atonement we have the grounds for both missionary motivation and confidence. Historically, for missionary pioneers like William Carey, such a doctrine served as a spur and not a brake in his motivation and vision. The book of Revelation presents a wonderfully certain picture of people objectively ransomed by the blood of Christ "from every tribe and language and people and nation" (5:9), "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (7:9), and who all give glory to God in their rich diversity.
Far from dampening the motivation to mission, definite atonement provides great confidence for Christian mission. The message we proclaim is not that of a gospel offer which construes the atonement as providing merely the possibility of salvation or the opportunity of salvation, for it is not the opportunity of salvation that is offered; it is salvation. And it is salvation because Christ is offered and Christ does not invite us to mere opportunity but to himself. Moreover, in the spirit of the Lord's words to Paul-"I have many in this city who are my people"- we have confidence in the unity of the triune God's sovereign economy of salvation, for we know that wherever we proclaim the gospel, the God's Spirit has gone before, relating to all personally through the ever-present revelation of himself both externally in creation and history and internally in the imago Dei. While this revelation is both sinfully suppressed and substituted, it is never totally erased, so that all know God and are without excuse. But more, in God's amazing graciousness and mercy, and in a myriad of ways, we are confident that he has been preparing his own people, those for whom Christ died, to receive the Gospel message we proclaim, in saving repentance and faith.
This vision of the atonement and the free offer of the Gospel propels us into the global work of missions with compassion and confidence: compassion, because we have been so loved ourselves and because God has put within us a longing for others to join us in this great salvation; confidence, because contained in the atonement itself is the power of the gospel to raise the spiritually dead and bring people to faith.
In conclusion, we are carried in our passion for the nations by the spectacular person of Christ and the stupendous achievement of his cross. We do not hesitate to say to every person in every people group that God loves you, and he offers you in Christ the fullest possible redemption in everlasting, all-satisfying fellowship with himself. This message is valid, and this offer is sincere, to every person on the planet. And it is breathtakingly glorious. How could we not want to bring this news to every person and every people group in the world!
In definite atonement we have the grounds for both missionary motivation and confidence. Historically, for missionary pioneers like William Carey, such a doctrine served as a spur and not a brake in his motivation and vision. The book of Revelation presents a wonderfully certain picture of people objectively ransomed by the blood of Christ "from every tribe and language and people and nation" (5:9), "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (7:9), and who all give glory to God in their rich diversity.
Far from dampening the motivation to mission, definite atonement provides great confidence for Christian mission. The message we proclaim is not that of a gospel offer which construes the atonement as providing merely the possibility of salvation or the opportunity of salvation, for it is not the opportunity of salvation that is offered; it is salvation. And it is salvation because Christ is offered and Christ does not invite us to mere opportunity but to himself. Moreover, in the spirit of the Lord's words to Paul-"I have many in this city who are my people"- we have confidence in the unity of the triune God's sovereign economy of salvation, for we know that wherever we proclaim the gospel, the God's Spirit has gone before, relating to all personally through the ever-present revelation of himself both externally in creation and history and internally in the imago Dei. While this revelation is both sinfully suppressed and substituted, it is never totally erased, so that all know God and are without excuse. But more, in God's amazing graciousness and mercy, and in a myriad of ways, we are confident that he has been preparing his own people, those for whom Christ died, to receive the Gospel message we proclaim, in saving repentance and faith.
This vision of the atonement and the free offer of the Gospel propels us into the global work of missions with compassion and confidence: compassion, because we have been so loved ourselves and because God has put within us a longing for others to join us in this great salvation; confidence, because contained in the atonement itself is the power of the gospel to raise the spiritually dead and bring people to faith.
In conclusion, we are carried in our passion for the nations by the spectacular person of Christ and the stupendous achievement of his cross. We do not hesitate to say to every person in every people group that God loves you, and he offers you in Christ the fullest possible redemption in everlasting, all-satisfying fellowship with himself. This message is valid, and this offer is sincere, to every person on the planet. And it is breathtakingly glorious. How could we not want to bring this news to every person and every people group in the world!
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