The Goal of the Church

The Good News proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth is NOT about reforming a fallen society, fixing a corrupt government, or cleaning up the immoral culture that surrounds us however much that is contrary to what we hear from our pulpits and on the “Christian” media. HIS Gospel calls all men to repent and join an entirely new and vastly different social and political order, the Kingdom of God, one that is incompatible with the ideologies and values of this fallen world.

Moreover, responding positively to this summons is vital for the church and the surrounding world considering the approaching end of the age when the existing order will cease to exist.

Earth globe - Photo by Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae on Unsplash
[Photo by Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae on Unsplash]

Unfortunately, too often Satan has succeeded in misdirecting the Church and corrupting the Gospel of Jesus Christ with terms and ideas such as ‘Christendom,’ “Christian” nations, and even ‘American Christendom.’

Unlike the political operatives both without and especially WITHIN the church, Jesus dispatched his disciples to proclaim this Good News of God’s Kingdom TO ALL NATIONS, not just to one, some, or so-called “Western civilization.” After his resurrection, he declared, “ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of ALL nations.” HIS Gospel is a life- and world-changing message for all humanity.

KING AND MESSIAH


Just before his ascension, he commanded his followers to tarry in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.”  Thereafter, they would become “his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth” - (Acts 1:7-9).

The last clause is derived from the second Psalm and its vision of the anointed Son of God ruling over the Earth, and his reign began following his resurrection and ascension - “Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8 – Emphasis added).

As Abraham’s heir, Jesus inherited the Earth with all its nations, and he now sends his heralds – his ambassadors - to announce his reign to the ends of the Earth.

Paul wrote a letter to the churches of Rome in which calls himself the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the church had become the envoy of God’s kingdom to the nations. And as such, proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles was his primary concern and function - (Romans 1:14-17).

And this same Apostle declared that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, both Jew and Greek, for, with God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.”

Everyone stands or falls before the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” on the same basis. Sin is the Great Leveler that has placed every man and woman in the same awful predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike.

Because “God is one” and the Creator of all men, He offers salvation and everlasting life to every man, woman, and child regardless of their ethnicity or nationality, and to each one on the same basis.

FROM HIS FAITH


And so, NOW, “in Christ,” every man and woman who responds to the Gospel in faith is set right before God on the same basis, whether Jew or Gentile, namely, from the faith of Jesus. There is no basis for human boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” The sinner can either reject the offer or embrace in faith what God has done for him or her in Jesus - (Romans 3:22-30).

And Paul appeals to his monotheistic faith to support this proposition - “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” The one “God and Father of Jesus Christ” is the God of all men and women, and there is no other.

No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of his nationality, social position, economic status, or gender. As Paul writes to the church in Colossae - “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).

In Jesus, God is creating a new humanity and a very different “kingdom,” a people composed of men and women from every nation and culture. What they all have in common is the “faith of Jesus Christ.”

Moreover, He is shaping them collectively and individually into the image of His Son. Therefore, the traditional distinctions of race, gender, social, and economic status are wholly inappropriate in His church.

The announcement of this salvation is one message, and it is intended for all men and nations. The Good News announced by Jesus transcends all man-made walls, boundaries, and divisions - (Galatians 3:28).

OUR MISSION


And so, the primary task of his church is to proclaim this message in every inhabited corner of the Earth, and the completion of this task is necessary before the return of Jesus at the end of the age. National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation as intended by the one God who made all things - (Matthew 24:14).

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth.  Sin, Satan, disease, and death will be eliminated from the world forever. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus in power when he resurrects the righteous dead, vanquishes “death” itself, rewards his faithful followers, judges the wicked, and ushers in the final reign of God in all its grandeur - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

In the interim, his people are called to proclaim this Good News to every man, woman, and child on the Earth. And all who do hear and respond to it in faith will receive salvation and everlasting life.


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