The Goal of the Church

The Good News proclaimed by Jesus is not about reforming fallen societies or fixing corrupt governments however much this statement may contradict what we hear from popular preachers. His Gospel summons men to repent and join an entirely new and vastly different social and political order, namely, the Kingdom of God, and its ways are fundamentally incompatible with the ideologies, practices, and values of the existing world.

Responding positively to this summons is vital not only for the church but also for the larger world, especially considering the approaching end of the age when the existing order will cease to exist. The New Testament envisions the coming radical transformation of the Universe, and not just small temporary fixes here and there to a system that is enslaved to sin and under the dominion of Satan.

[Photo by Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae on Unsplash]

This transformation will occur when the Church completes its mission of proclaiming the Gospel to every nation. God’s transforming “power and wisdom” are found in the proclamation of a Crucified Messiah, not the barrel of a gun or material wealth – (Matthew 24:14, 1 Corinthians 1:17-21).

The preaching of the Gospel will culminate in the resurrection of the dead, the consummation of the Kingdom of God, total victory over the “last enemy, death,” and the arrival of the “New Heavens and the New Earth.” All this will occur when Jesus returns “on the clouds of Heaven,” gathers his “elect,” and judges the nations – (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

Unfortunately, Satan has succeeded far too often in misdirecting the Church and corrupting the Gospel with ideas like ‘Christendom,’ “Christian nation,” and even ‘American Christendom.’ Rather than a forward-looking hope of salvation for all men and women, “Christianity” becomes watered down and is little more than another social group with a political agenda.

Unlike the political operatives in many of our pulpits, Jesus dispatched his disciples to proclaim this Good News to all the nations of the Earth. As he declared before his Ascension, “All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of ALL nations.” His Gospel is the only world-changing message that all men must hear. There is no life, truth, justice, or access to God apart from Jesus of Nazareth.

KING AND MESSIAH

Just before his ascension, Jesus commanded his followers to tarry in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.”  Thereafter, they would be “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. 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, he inherited the Earth and all its nations, and he now sends his heralds to announce his reign and offer his salvation to one and all. This process will culminate in the bodily resurrection of the dead and the New Creation. The salvation proclaimed by Jesus and his Apostles is about redemption, not abandonment. The Gospel is not an otherworldly escape plan.

The Apostle Paul declared that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, both Jew and Greek. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” Everyone stands or falls before Him on the same basis.

Sin is the Great Leveler that places every man and woman in the same awful predicament, both Jews and Gentiles alike. All have sinned; therefore, all will die in the end. One’s nationality, social status, or economic position has no bearing on his or her standing before the Judge of all the Earth. What matters is repentance and faith in Jesus. For those who respond positively to the Gospel, death will not have the final say.

FROM FAITH

Every man and woman who responds to the Gospel in faith is set right before God on the same basis, whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female, and that is from the faith of Jesus. There is no basis for human self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” The sinner can either reject the offer of salvation or embrace it with faith in what God has done through Jesus - (Romans 3:22-30).

Paul appealed 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 and Creator of all men and women. No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of ethnicity or gender – (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, people, and culture. What they all have in common is the “faith of Jesus Christ.” That is the one “border” and dividing line that matters.

The announcement of this salvation is one message, and it is intended for all men and every nation. The primary task of his Church is to proclaim this message until he appears “on the clouds of Heaven” - (Matthew 24:14).

[Photo by Stripe Media on Unsplash]

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth.  Sin, Satan, disease, injustice, and death will be eliminated forever. This victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus 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).

Everyone who hears and responds in faith to the Gospel will receive salvation and everlasting life. Those who reject His gracious offer will reap something far less pleasant. In the meantime, Christians must decide whether they will serve His Kingdom or the existing world order.

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RELATED POSTS:

• His Salvation Offer - (The Good News announced by Jesus of Nazareth and preached by his Church offers salvation to men and women of every nation and people)

• Only Some Nations? - (Is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God a message of hope for only SOME nations, or is it Good News for all nations and peoples?)

• Stand Fast in the Tradition - (To avoid deception and apostasy believers must cling to the apostolic traditions)