We often hear contemporary pastors and ministers talk about our “mission fields.” A mission field could be anything from our workplace (though most employers frown on sharing the Gospel on company time), to school, to our neighborhoods, to the sports team we play on ( see Tim Tebow), to the homeless shelter or prison ministries. In fact, our mission fields could come from any variety of sources. And we have been commanded to - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19.
Unfortunately, contemporary evangelical churches most often fail to meet the criteria set by Jesus for the preaching of the Word, focusing on the singularity of love for everyone rather than focusing on the Cross. Even Jesus recognized that there would be areas of the mission field where the Word would be scattered atop barren ground. “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” - Matthew 10:14.
I differ from many of the pastors when it comes to referring to the most dangerous places on earth for Christians as our mission field. When faced with imminent threat of bodily harm or death I think it prudent to consider the value of allowing ourselves to be murdered merely for our identity as Christians. Yes! There will be times when our lives are required of us for the sake of the Gospel and the holy name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And when such a time may come upon us I would pray we all have the fortitude of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us for the persecution. But not all the time nor every time. Even Christ foresaw times when we would be less than judicious if we were to throw all caution to the wind. “Then He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.’” - Luke 22:36.
There are plenty of ministers who will claim this passage was meant by our Lord in a figurative manner, a most convenient exegesis to avoid the possibility of misinterpretation. When we read the whole of the passage from 22:35-38, we see that Christ was clearly telling His disciples that they would indeed need some worldly supplies after He left them. The sword was included. Period. It is not that Jesus was advocating for aggression and violence. He was merely informing the disciples that there may indeed come a time when weapons of war would be called for in the life of a Christian! “He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” - Psalm 18:34.
As Christians, we are not under any command to willingly sacrifice the lives of our loved ones and our own lives as long as we can defend them and ourselves from physical violence. The painfully difficult act of becoming a martyr is being carried out across the world as we speak. And the exemplary blood of our martyred brothers and sisters is to be admired and commended, not re-mixed with our own blood unless absolutely and unavoidably necessary. But as long as we have the Spirit of God coursing through our souls we have a responsibility to do all in our power to avoid being murdered by the godless forces assaulting us. “A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.” - Proverbs 25:26.
We must remember that God has given us both the power and the ability to defend ourselves from physical assault and we are to use both rather than squander the gifts that He has given us in time of need. “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” - Psalm 144:1.
God has used men to further His decrees since the dawn of time. Dare we think the unchanging God of the Bible has changed? Will we go so far as to say, “God doesn’t work that way anymore?”“For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” - Malachi 3:6.
So in what manner are we destined by God to defend ourselves when necessary? How are we to discern between the mission field where we preach the Gospel and the killing field where we lay down our lives in the name of Jesus Christ? Let us remember the great and Godly men of the Bible when we view the field in question. Men like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David. And remember most of all that God has ordained our actions from before the beginning of time. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: . . . A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8.
There is no further need for self-sacrifice in the name of God. Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ made the final sacrifice that guarantees the believer’s salvation. We can add nothing to the loving act of our Savior. Our actions can in no way assist in our salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9. May we always know the difference between our mission field and a killing field.
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