Our last post focused on motives for being ‘on mission.’ But so we don’t get ahead of ourselves, it’s worth asking the question, “What is the mission?”
Looking at Gen. 1, we find a clue for God’s mission in the world. God creates humanity in the image of God (v. 26), after which God says, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it” (v. 28). We humans were created in God’s image to be God’s image. And God’s desire was that we be images of God in the whole world, wherever we are, representing the Creator.
Adam & Eve’s fall distorts the image of God in humanity, a distortion that continues to infect us. Instead of seeing God’s image reflected in our humanity, often we see pain, violence, and brokenness.
Yet in spite of our brokenness, we are still created in God’s image. The life and work of Christ have redeemed us to reflect God’s image as imitators of Christ. And God’s original mission of Gen. 1 has not gone away: be God’s image in the world.
This, then, is the mission for all Christ-followers. There are not some Christians who are called to participate in God’s mission and others who are not. The mission is for everyone because we’re all created in God’s image. Where there is a person, there is the possibility of seeing God’s image. And where there is a believer, there is a person participating in God’s mission by reflecting God’s image. --Alan
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