In order to understand the mission of God, one needs to start from the book of Revelation specifically Rev 21: 1-4. This passage clearly articulates that the new heavens and new earth will unite and God will tabernacle or have fellowship among his people. The intention of God in creating this universe was to have “fellowship” with his creation both the humans who were created in his own image as well as with the environment. The meaning of “fellowship” or communion could be exegeted in the light of the lives and ministries of the prophets in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Having fellowship with God means dwelling with him in love, peace, equality, justice, truth, and free of sickness. In other words, a life of “shalom.”
However, the “fall” in a way derailed God’s mission. But God being a personification of Hesed (steadfast love and mercy), did not jettison his mission.
Thus, God entered into his mission of redemption. He first called out Abraham (Genesis 12) and through Abraham his descendants – the Israelites – to carry out the mission of redemption. However, as the Scripture unfolds Israelites failed just as the first humans failed to create fellowship and extend God’s communion to the whole universe. It was in this context God had to send his only son Jesus Christ to redeem us and to show us the way to have perfect fellowship with the creator. Thus, Jesus’ death and resurrection is more than a salvific act. It includes the theme of “Christus victor.”
In other words, the death and resurrection not only redeemed us from sin but it also provided the impetus to carry out the mission of God. The implication of this is Christians’ mission is to be God’s royal priest and be agents of love, peace, equality, justice, truth, and kindness. This does not mean that every Christian has to become a pastor in a church but it means as Christian no matter what one does and where one positions, his/her task is to create “fellowship” with one another and with God. This can be possible only with the aid of the Holy Spirit working in and through the lives of the believers. As Christians strive in God’s mission, one day God will unite the new heavens and new earth. That day will be perhaps somewhat like returning once again afresh to the Garden of Eden.
Dr. M. Sashi Jamir Director Foundation for Church and Society Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation
Date: 21st September 2020
Time 3:00 PM
Registration: bit.ly/dottalks0921