Facing a task unfinished
When you’ve got your friends and family on your mind, who aren’t yet Christians; or when you consider the great number of people yet unreached with the gospel; we can easily get overwhelmed. We heard last Sunday that almost 2000 people groups (totalling 220 million people) don’t have even a single verse of the Bible in their own language. Where to start? How can little me play a role in this unfinished task of reaching all the nations, both overseas and at our doorstep?
With such a massive task before us, we’ve got to remember it’s God’s own mission: He wants his Name to be known among all the nations; He desires (and is worth) worship from every tribe and language and nation. And He will make sure that this will indeed happen; and that you and I have all we need to play our part in this grand story.
Just consider the promises found in the ‘great commission’ passages. Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18, 20). And “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations…” (Luke 24:47). And “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Still today, Jesus has all authority. Still today, Jesus is with us. Still today, all Christians have been given the Holy Spirit, to give us power, courage and the right words to speak of the hope that’s ours. Therefore, dear Christian, don’t stop at being overwhelmed by the task unfinished, but face it with great confidence, for all nations will be reached! And there’s a role for you to play, too.
Klaas-Jan Gunnink