3 of 3

This shift was coupled then—as now—with entertaining the possibility of other ways to be acceptable to God than through faith in Jesus Christ. If the past is any guide, we seem to face once again the slow demise of missions as it is found in the New Testament. That's why I consider the question of final destiny the theological issue for missions in our postmodern context.

Without apology, we may love others in many ways: seeking their health, promoting justice, advancing education. But above all, we should love them into eternal life, away from eternal death.

May our churches never fail to love as God loves, to extend his provision of eternal salvation to the 1.8 billion out-of-reach people. God was motivated by people-love, so that must be our motivation as well, if we are to be like him.

But of course we also are motivated above all by the Great Commandment, to love God. And one way to do that is to keep the spotlight on him, to glorify him. I must say, however, that the move to make "the glory of God" the primary "motive" so far has not increased missions passion in churches, if we gauge that passion by the numbers of new pioneer missionary evangelistic church planters.

We can express our love for God in many ways. But the proof of love, said Jesus, is that we obey his commandments. And the commandment he returned to over and over following his resurrection? Go and proclaim the good news of redemption (Mark 16:15), go and preach repentance and remission of sin (Luke 24:47), go and disciple the nations (Matt. 28:19) to the uttermost parts (Acts 1:8).

Let us not forget the unreached as we strategize, and let us not neglect God's own motive of rescuing people from hell. By all means, we glorify him by sending, going, and finishing the task, but we are also moved, as he is, by love for those who are perishing.

Robertson McQuilkin is president emeritus of Columbia International University and the Evangelical Missiological Society.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today interviewed Robertson McQuilkin about caring for his wife while she suffered from Alzheimer's.

The Gradual Grief of Alzheimer's | Robertson McQuilkin reflects on his wife's death after caring for her for 25 years. (Feb. 9, 2004)

CT Classic: Living by Vows | As his wife suffered with Alzheimer's, Robertson McQuilkin said, "If I took care of her for 40 years, I would never be out of her debt." (Feb. 9, 2004)

CT Classic: Muriel's Blessing | Despite the toll of his wife's Alzheimer's, a husband marvels at the mystery of love. (Feb. 9, 2004)

More CT articles on missions include:

Every Tribe and Class | If these missionaries have their way, millions of Taiwanese will no longer be too embarrassed or intimidated to go to church. (June 14, 2006)

Winning the Oral Majority | Mission agencies rethink outreach to the world's non-literate masses. (March 17, 2006)

Missions Incredible | South Korea sends more missionaries than any country but the U.S. And it won't be long before it's number one. (Feb. 24, 2006)

The Soul Hunters of Central Asia | The most Baptist state in the world—Nagaland—is vying to become a powerhouse for cross-cultural missions. (Feb. 10, 2006)

first page |  3 of 3

share this page

July 2006, Vol. 50, No. 7