Through Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God and brought into relationship with our creator. We are brought into His story, for His glory, restored as image-bearers of God and reflecting Him in worship, community, and mission. As image bearers we mirror Jesus, in worship we discover and declare His glory, and we do this not individually, but corporately in servant-minded community. Today, we look at how we – in community – are to be a sent and sending people like Jesus on mission.

Many Christians never get to god-honoring mission, because worship is exchanged for routines and rituals, and community is “serve me” minded instead of servant-minded. Others fear mission because of miscommunication, thinking this is relegated to the handing out of Christian tracts and taking time to pose propositional statements. Our great commission becomes something we clock in and out for instead of our lifestyle.

In the Old Testament, Daniel was “caught” praying. Although mission does require intentionality – as culture (even “Christian culture”) will lure us into a false sense of self-centered living – the gospel should compel us to live missional lives where we simply reflect Jesus in all we do and are “caught” being like Jesus. Questions about why we live counter-culturally… why we love, eat, breathe, and worship the way that we do… should come from those who watch us, because they don’t see “us”… they see the image of God.

Jesus was a sent and sending Savior; in reflection, are we Christ FOLLOWERS… or merely Christ spectators? Are you living provocatively? Does your life evoke questions from those that don’t know Jesus? Is a good part of your time in Christian community spent praying, planning and participating together in thoughtful relationships with those that don’t yet recognize Him as Lord? Is part of your accountability sharing specifically who you’re praying for, cultivating relationship with, and actively conversing with about Christ?

This final, commissioned component of our identity is not an option for the Christian but an essential aspect of the image-bearing we were created and called for. Paul refers to Christians as a “letter from Christ”. Will we selfishly content ourselves with receiving Jesus’ love, or BE His love letter to those our Father God is calling into His story?