“‘I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'” (Isaiah 49:6b)
As we start a New Year, we Christians must continue to pray that the Lord would grant wisdom to those who govern our land, our states, cities, and towns. We ask for Godly wisdom because what passes for wisdom in our world is a often blend of common sense and lessons learned from academic study, scientific research, and life experience. This knowledge, though helpful and utile, cannot grant anyone lasting peace or godly righteousness. We pray that all people avail themselves of God’s wisdom which comes by faith in Jesus alone. Therefore, we in the Church must not get caught up with all the political rhetoric, or celebrity hype that idolizes and exalts human beings. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom first and foremost. We exalt Him above all things and people. And we live our lives in service to a Godly mission and calling.
What things can we do this year to bring the gospel to the lost? Presenting the gospel is our mission and calling as the prophet Isaiah reminds as he expounds on the Servant of the Lord. The Servant was coming to set things right because the people of Israel were self-centered, vain, unloving, and idolatrous. They had failed to perform their mission. The Messiah would do what they did not do. The Servant is the Messiah who would come as a Light to the Gentiles, to bring God’s salvation to all nations.
We who are the church must remember that the Lord has called us to perform the same mission as Israel and as the Messiah: to be the light of God’s glory and love to all mankind. We are called to spread the light of the gospel to the lost. He has saved and redeemed us by His grace, but we cannot sit back and merely bask in the blessings of God. The church cannot be silent for she bears the message of salvation by faith in Christ that the entire world needs to hear. Our mission is to bring the gospel to all people by word and by deed. We are Jesus’ representatives, His agents who show the oppressed and weary Who He is and what He has done for them. Salvation is a gift which we must share.