Missio Dei

Who will be the most famous person this year? How about Persons?

I say it will be The Triune Creator God. How so? As They work out the unified mission in this world, for our good and to the glory of God the Father, Son and Spirit. More and more people will take notice and be renewed to a saving knowledge in Jesus. It’s not trendy but will become more increasingly the trend as the future becomes the present.

This new year presents endless opportunities for good and bringing hope to a dark work. It will be quite an adventure. It’s always good to start new adventures with some essential theology:

Missio Dei is Latin for “mission of God” and captures the reality that God is the one who initiates and sustains His mission (restores His image marred by the fall and reclaims His kingdom marred by the kingdom of darkness).  God the Father sends the Son, God the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit; God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit send the Church. The church is being sent and sends itself into the world as God’s ambassadors to restore the image of God and recapture the ‘reign of God’ through God’s redemption and reconciliation in our Savior Jesus Christ.

—summarized from Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2006), 5.

That’s why missional theologians can be quick to remind us that the Church doesn’t have a mission. Rather, God has a mission, and for that reason He created the church to participate in fulfilling it (Matt. 28:18-20).

Or, in simple terms, as Jesus prayed:

“As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” —John 17:18

By the way, Happy New Year!