Mission

The concept of mission in the Bible is deeply rooted in the character and purposes of God. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God's mission is to reveal Himself to humanity and to restore a broken relationship with His creation. This mission is evident in the calling of Israel, the sending of prophets, and ultimately, the coming of Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, God's mission is first seen in His covenant with Abraham, where He promises that "all the families of the earth will be blessed" through him (Genesis 12:3). This mission is further developed through the nation of Israel, which is called to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), serving as a light to the Gentiles.

The New Testament expands on this mission through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus embodies God's mission, declaring, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). His Great Commission to His disciples underscores the global scope of this mission: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The Book of Acts records the early church's obedience to this command, as the apostles spread the message of salvation from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the New Testament mission, emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel, stating, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16). His missionary journeys and epistles reflect a deep commitment to God's mission, urging believers to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Assurance

Assurance in the Christian faith refers to the confidence believers have in their salvation and the promises of God. This assurance is grounded in the character of God, the work of Christ, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible provides numerous assurances of salvation for those who trust in Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises eternal security to His followers: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). This assurance is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross, where He declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of the work necessary for salvation.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of assurance in his letters, emphasizing the believer's security in Christ. In Romans, he writes, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in providing assurance to believers. Paul explains that the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children (Romans 8:16). This internal witness of the Spirit confirms the believer's status as a child of God and heir to His promises.

Furthermore, the epistle of 1 John offers tests of assurance, encouraging believers to examine their lives for evidence of faith, love, and obedience. John writes, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

In summary, the mission of God is to bring salvation to the world through Jesus Christ, and assurance is the confidence believers have in their salvation, rooted in the promises of God, the work of Christ, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.