When I was in Bible college, I worked as a barista at a local café. During a shift, I met a nice couple that invited me to their small group. One day we were discussing about the attributes of God and how He reveals himself to us so that we can know Him. I then had questions come to my mind. We are so blessed to be saved by Christ, but how unfair is it for those who live their whole lives without knowing Christ. What happens to them? Is God unjust, unfair? Does He choose certain people to save?
I felt privileged and sad at the same time. I felt overwhelming grace and love because I was “chosen by Him” and others were not- and they were destined to hell forever, separated from Him, for eternity. Then I asked the group a question. “What happens to people living in a village and area so remote and far away and they never had a chance to know God, but lived a life as good people trying to avoid sin, and they die? Are they saved? How will they know who God is?” I mentioned that it was really unfair that God would not “choose them” like He chose us.
One person responded “Well, isn’t that our job to bring the Gospel to them?”
That question impacted me significantly. That question started me down my path of missional thinking and lead me to discover God’s heart for His people.
Why Reach the Unreached?
In Bible college, we were taught to impact the people in our lives, and bring lost people to church so they can hear sermons about Christ. Discontentment grew in my heart as I continued to hear that the best thing to do as a Christian is to become a church go-er, plant yourself inside the church by joining all the church events, and bringing a friend to church to sit next to you. I partly believed that was a good thing to do, but that that was not enough. I felt sad for those who would never hear about Christ because they are just too far or too neglected to reach. After that I began to pray that God would reveal Himself to them and show me what I could do to bring the Gospel to them.
The more I read the Bible, the more I started to understand God’s heart and desires. He wants the lost to be saved. Jesus gave us the task of spreading the Good News, not only locally and where we are comfortable. He wants us to step out of the four walls of church and outside our comfort zone, and to go to the nations. And there are so many ways in which believers can work together to accomplish that goal.
So where do you start?
Prayer! Having a heart for the lost did not come naturally to me. I had to pray and ask God to give me a heart to care about lost people in general. And guess what, He did!
Pray and ask God how He wants you to be part of the Great Commission. Is He calling you to be an intercessor for those who have never heard and for missionaries working among them? Is He calling you to support a missionary or give to a ministry working among UPGs? Or is He calling you to go?
It is never too late to be a part of Jesus’ mission. If you are interested in knowing how to be a part of God’s mission, email us at:
info@prayforindonesia.org
My prayer is that you seek His Kingdom first above all else, abide in Him, walk with Him and desire to join in God’s mission here on earth. May your hearts align with His will.
Click to learn more:
https://prayforindonesia.org/10-ways-you-can-be-involved-in-gods-work-part-1/
https://prayforindonesia.org/7-ways-you-can-be-involved-in-gods-work-part-2/
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Until all have heard,
R.
