I was thinking recently about the fundamental mission of Christ’s Church. What exactly is that mission? Before retirement I was a traveling salesman. I had a product that I was trained to sell. The customers that I called on had a need for the type of product I was selling.The essence of my training was to proclaim the necessity of the product that I was selling. I had many competitors that were selling a similar product that I was selling. My basic function was to show customers that they needed “my product” ...period! At times I was successful and at other times my competitors were successful.
So how does this relate to Christ’s Church? As we look around at the people we come in contact with on a daily basis, do we find that most sense their need for a savior? Or do we find that most have no need and even no thought of a need for a savior? Are any aware that reconciliation to God requires an understanding of alienation? Or...will all just go to heaven upon the death of our bodies? In my opinion, I think most feel the only necessity for entrance into heaven is death...NSR...no savior required. Have you been to a funeral lately? Have you been to a celebration of life event? There and elsewhere they always seem to say or indicate that your loved ones, no matter their earthly spiritual condition, are looking down from heaven and are smiling at the proceedings. R.C. Sproul asked R.C. Jr..when he was around 6 or 7 years old...”If you were standing before God and he asked why should I let you into my heaven...what would you say to him?” His son said confidently...”because I’m dead”! This seems to be the answer many would give at any age of their lives. Heaven is granted to all who meet that single requirement...death.
It is the Church’s fundamental function to proclaim the absolute necessity of a Savior. ‘The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness”(Romans 1:18) “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”(Rom 3:23) When this is done will all see their absolute necessity for a Savior. No...Jesus said many times over, “he that hath ears to hear let him hear”. The Church is, and it’s members are to be involved in proclaiming the gospel faithfully to him that hath ears and it is God that must open the ears so that the natural man is able (has the ability) to hear the spiritual proclamation that Christ died for sinners. (“the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God I Cor 2:14,....faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Rom 10:17, “Salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) So, in where ever and whatever God has called us, let us be involved in the proclamation of the good news of the gospel that Christ died for sinners. Redemption and reconciliation has been finished at the cross and that all who have ears to hear will hear and will understand their absolute necessity for a Savior who reconciles us, who delivers us, and saves us from the “wrath to come”.
Dave Van Inwegen 03-27-2022
