THE MISSION OF GOD IN SOUTH ASIA

When we speak of the mission of God, we are referring to all that God does to make himself known to human beings in order to build his kingdom in this world. It is his world, for he created it, but it is alienated from him because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and so broke humanity’s relationship with him. This in turn led to broken relationships between people and between humanity and creation (Gen 3:12, 17-19).

Almost all the ills of humanity, irrespective of race, nation, place and time, are direct results of broken relationships in these three dimensions. The broken relationship with God leaves us with an insatiable spiritual hunger. When this is not satisfied by the things of this earth, we experience frustration and hopelessness. Our broken relationship with others leads to a selfish lifestyle and to all sorts of discrimination, oppression, exploitation and hatred. Our broken relationship with creation results in environmental degradation, including the depletion of forests and animals, pollution of the air and water, and erosion of soil.

God’s Revelation of Himself

Seeking to bring people back to himself, God has revealed himself throughout history in various ways. He has done so through the universe he has created and still cares for (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:19-20; 2:14-15). He revealed himself through the OT prophets (Heb 1:1-2).

His supreme revelation of himself came through the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18; John 5:30; 20:21; Heb 1:3). The ultimate purpose of God’s mission is to unite all things on earth and heaven under Jesus Christ (Eph 1:10; Col 1:20). The first coming of the Lord Jesus marked the inauguration of the kingdom of God on earth, and this kingdom will come in its fullness when Jesus Christ returns in glory and overthrows all evil powers that challenge his authority (1 Cor 15:24). Then all broken relationships will be restored and peace, justice and love will permeate all of God’s creation. This harmony will never again be broken (Isa 11:6-9).

Together, the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world (John 16:7) to empower the particular group through whom God has chosen to work to accomplish his mission, namely the church, the people of God. These are the people who respond positively to the gospel of Jesus Christ and whom Jesus then sends out into the world as his agents to carry on the ministry of reconciliation on earth until he returns (Matt 28:18; Mark 16:15; John 20:21). Thus, the church in South Asia is responsible to spread the just, loving and redemptive reign of God.

God’s Mission Through the Church

The church must model its approach on the way God himself conducts his mission. God has used many different ways to reveal himself to humanity, and so the church, too, must use a variety of ways to spread Christ’s reign. Just as God is forever working, caring, preserving and providing for all of his creation, so his church must care about all aspects of life in this world.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the redemptive reign of God in Jesus Christ should be manifested in the church. We must preach the gospel, but we must also demonstrate what God’s kingdom is like by displaying unity in the midst of denominational diversity, acting with integrity, showing love to all and living pure lives.

The church should speak with both a prophetic and evangelistic voice, calling all people to come to God, submit to him in humble

repentance and faith, and love him with all their strength, heart, soul and mind (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37). It should call all people to turn to their neighbours and learn to love them as they love themselves (Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39). It should also call them to turn to creation and care for, protect and develop the environment (Gen 1:26-31; 2:15).

The church as God’s agent should work for justice and equality in society and for the restoration, preservation and development of the environment.

It is also important to note that God did not wait for Adam and Eve to come back to him after they had sinned, but instead went looking for them to restore them to his fellowship (Gen 3:9). He is the God who searches for the lost. Jesus, too, spoke of his mission as being to seek and to save the lost (Matt 18:12-14; Luke 19:10). Thus, the church in South Asia must also seek the lost so that they may be brought to God’s salvation, to enter into his redemptive reign. It is right to seek the lost at home and to send missionaries to the rest of the world (Acts 13:2-3).

The church in South Asia should be sensitive to the region’s multiple religious, economic, political and racial realities. Our mission is not to condemn but to love and appreciate the diversity of cultures. We should strive to build good and appreciative relationships with everyone while using every opportunity to spread the good news of God’s love for all creation and calling on people to confess their sins and demonstrate their love for God, their neighbours and creation.

Fanai Hrangkhuma