As children, the phrase ‘What if’ was a constant feature on our lips. Often, we use it to gauge the possible outcomes or consequences of our actions or inaction. “What if I do not eat broccoli or cauliflower?” “What if I do not shower or bathe daily?” “What if the sun stopped shining?” “What if Jesus never died or rose again?” “What if there were no gravity?” There was no end to the wild imaginations our curious minds could conjure.
As the days went by, however, we matured and realized that some of these what-ifs actually carry very serious consequences. For instance, if the sun stopped shining, we would face catastrophic consequences for the planet, health-wise and sustainability-wise. If we do not eat our vegetables, then malnutrition will come upon us like a bandit.
In our walk of faith, people often ask, sometimes loudly or sometimes quietly, “What if we did not go on missions?” Often, for the young Christian, the motivation for asking is primarily the convenience of the known and a fear of getting out of one’s comfort zone to preach Christ. The associated sacrifices and costs make it easy for the immature at heart to conclude that, since Jesus is supreme, he can do the work without our going out.
The thought, both careless and immature, bears real consequences. Perhaps, in considering the repercussions attendant to such elementary thinking, we may, as it were, mature in our perception and reception of the call to missions.
Disobedience to Christ’s Command
The most obvious response to this question is that we are walking in disobedience if we do not do missions. The Bible is not just a bunch of requests to be considered when necessary. Instead, it has commands to be obeyed. Matthew 28:18–20 contains the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus is not asking to think about it but to engage in it actively. He is calling us to proclaim the gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:15), so that they may turn to God in repentance and receive forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47). The command is clear. In fact, Jesus gives us the commandment just as he received it from the Father: with authority and urgency (John 20:21). Doctor Luke writes that the Lord commanded us to bring the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth because we are lights (Acts 13:47). If we do not do missions, we will be in outright rebellion against our Lord. If we mistakenly think it is the pastor urging us to be more active in missions, we may end up thinking we’re only disregarding the pastor. However, if we know—and know we do—that the commandment is from the Lord, then we know we are disregarding Christ by not doing missions.
Many Remain Without the Gospel
Secondly, if we do not do missions, we will leave many people without the saving message of the gospel—their only hope. “How will they hear if someone does not preach to them?” (Romans 10:13–15). How did you hear the gospel? Surely, someone preached to you! We not only have the joy of being saved from our sin, but we have the privilege of sharing the same message with others who have never heard it (Isaiah 52:7). Jesus confirmed to the disciples that the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers, you and I, are few and seemingly busy (Matthew 9:37-38). But in our day, are we really few or just disinterested and distracted? We have no basis for postponement because people are ready to hear and receive the gospel (John 4:35): the harvest is ready. If we do not go out and do missions, many people will remain without eternal hope and freedom, which we have received freely and graciously ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). Remember the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip? When Philip drew closer and asked if the eunuch understood what he was reading, he responded, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And so are the many who surround us today! Friend, this is our privilege: to guide those who do not know, and yet would be glad to learn.
Missing out on God’s Global Purpose
Thirdly, if we do not do missions, we miss God’s global purpose for mankind — that all be blessed through his gift of grace (Genesis 12:1–3). Our health, wealth, and prosperity are good things, but they are only temporary things. God’s purpose is for man to know the joy of being united to him by faith and to be called Abraham’s children (the father of faith). God has not created and saved us simply for our personal gain and glory. No. He created and saved us for something more than what the world offers in its fallen state. He has called us to be a light for the nations and make his salvation known to the world (Isaiah 49:6).
In doing missions, we get to participate in life’s most crucial purpose (the reason for all we are and have), which is to make Christ’s light shine, that the nations might be saved. John sees in heaven people ransomed from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). Our small acts of obedience bear eternal ripples, for through them God will gather saints from across the world at the feet of Jesus—the one who was slain for us. By engaging in missions, we declare God’s glory among the nations, ensuring the world is filled with it (Habakkuk 2:14; Psalms 22:27; Isaiah 66:19).
The Church Becomes Inward-Focused
Fourthly, not doing missions makes the church adopt an inward focus—a selfish focus, for that matter. You see, a lamp is never intended to bring more light into an already well-lit room. Light, instead, is for the dark places (Acts 1:8). Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16 that we do not light a lamp to hide it; instead, we place it on the table so that it gives light across the room. When the church abandons missions, it becomes unhealthy and unnecessary in the community and the world at large.
In the early church, when the saints maintained an inward focus, persecution broke out (Acts 8:1). It dispersed them so that they could fulfill the commandment to go from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the world (Acts 1:8, Acts 11:19). There are church politics that would end if the church maintained an outward focus. Instead of ministries and departments battling over budget allocations, sending them on mission trips and excursions can help quell unnecessary bickering that leads to divisions. Let the people go out into the mission field, and they shall return with a transformed view of the church and its mandate. A healthy church is not just one that grows within its walls, but also outside its walls.
Missing out on the Joy of Participating in God’s Work
Fifthly, when we do not engage in missions, we miss out on the joy of partnering with Christ in his work. We miss out on the “fruit that increases to [our] credit” (Philippians 4:17). Is there profit and value in stepping out into the mission field? Yes. What is it? Taking part in God’s work in men’s hearts. We cannot change men by our strength, but as we preach the gospel to the unreached, we get to share the joy of leading men, women, and children to the way of salvation. In the mission field, we get to see the greatest miracle ever- a heart of stone turned into a heart of flesh. Have you ever shared in this joy? Ever had the privilege of seeing someone’s eternity turn around thanks to a mere conversation? A Christians true joy and glory is the sinner he midwives into the faith (1 Thessalonians 2:19). It is a joy that cannot be known except through missions. In our modern world, there are places we may not bring modernity, but we can surely bring eternity. We may not bring electricity, but we can bring the light of the world into darkened hearts. We may not establish functional governments, but we bring the One on whose shoulders rests an eternal government, and one of peace. We have the opportunity to share in this joy as we do missions. Jesus has called us to go on mission so that our joy may be complete (John 15:11).
Lost Zeal for Christ’s Return
Finally, if we don’t do missions, the coming of Christ feels far off. Jesus said that after the gospel has been proclaimed to the ends of the earth, then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14). How does this happen? First, it is grace-led: that is, Jesus gives unbelievers time to come to faith through repentance by the preaching of the gospel (2 Peter 3:9-12). The return of Christ is unquestionable. He is coming back. But in his mercy and grace, Christ has given us the chance to share in hastening his return by doing missions and preaching the gospel. The more people hear the gospel, the closer the deal is about to be sealed. Therefore, the return of Christ resounds louder through our engagement in missions. Every person we reach out to and share the gospel with, every unreached land, every unknown culture, and every tribal corner we step into with the gospel message makes the cry of Revelation louder: “Maranatha!”
God’s heart has always been set towards the redemption of the whole world. Hence, even as we look forward to Christ’s coming, we must view our involvement in that mission as not just a duty but as a high privilege.