Biblical Answer

Understanding the Call to Missions

The call to missions is a divine invitation from God to participate in His work of spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. It is a calling that requires surrender, submission, and a willingness to be used by God in ways that may be beyond our comfort zones. In 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul writes, "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance that comes from knowing Him." This verse highlights the idea that our lives are meant to be a fragrance that spreads the Gospel and brings glory to God.

Discerning the Call

So, how do we know if we're being called to missions or short-term missions? The answer lies in listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking His guidance. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus teaches that one must be willing to leave everything behind to follow Him, and that He will provide for those who are willing to surrender their lives to Him. We must also be willing to be patient and wait for the Holy Spirit to call us. Not everyone is called to foreign missionary work, but every Christian is called to be a missionary in their daily lives. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations." This command is not limited to foreign missions, but is a call to every believer to share the Gospel and make disciples in their own communities.

Implications of the Call

The call to missions has significant implications for our lives. It requires us to surrender our desires, plans, and comfort zones to God's will. It also requires us to be willing to be used by God in ways that may be beyond our abilities or understanding. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Paul writes, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in us." This verse highlights the idea that God has different gifts and callings for different people, and that we must be willing to submit to His will and use our gifts to serve Him. Ultimately, the call to missions is a call to surrender our lives to God and to use our gifts and talents to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.