‘Missio Dei’

‘Missio Dei’: What is it?

You might be wondering what 'Missio Dei' even means in English, well, it's an old latin term for 'Mission of God'. And what does the Mission of God look like?  If we look at the bible in Genesis 2:28, we see the first command God gave mankind, to 1) multiply in number, and 2) rule the earth and subdue it. God's original design for mankind was to be in such close relationship with the Father that we could recognize the sound of His footsteps (Gen. 3:8) and to be co-rulers of the Earth! I mean how awesome does that sound?? Unfortunately for us though, we screwed that up. Due to the fall of man and being exposed to sin, we can no longer perfectly experience what we were made for in this life because we are no longer perfect beings.

As we continue to read, human beings have become so overcome by wickedness and sin that God regretted making mankind in the first place (Gen. 6:5-6)! Most of us know what happens next, God sends a flood to wipe out all of mankind except for Noah and his family, as Noah found favor in the eyes of God (Gen. 7:11-13). When the flood subsides, God reestablishes His command that He first gave to Adam (Gen. 9:1-2). We are then introduced to Abram, through the bloodline of Noah's son, Shem. And God gives Abram a mission! Abram is told by God to "go" into the land He has promised him and God will bless his name and make him into a great nation, but they aren't to keep this blessing to themselves, but to take that blessing and to bless all of the other people of the earth (Gen. 12:2-3)!

Now if we look at the new testament in Matthew, Jesus is speaking to his disciples on the mountain at Galilee (Matt. 28:16), and He gives them what we call the 'Great Commission' (Matt. 28:18-20). Now, we as believers, know that this 'Great Commission' wasn't just for those 12 disciples, no. We are also called to take part in this as well! Jesus Himself has told us to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". Of course not all of us are able to literally go to the nations and do this, but even then, we are commissioned to take part in any way that we can. Wether that be interceding, giving, or discipling and equipping others to go! Taking part in the 'Mission of God' can look a variety of different ways, but what's important is that we're obedient! That means giving God our yes, even when we don't feel like it! And that is the Mission of God, 'Missio Dei'.

All the way back in Genesis, God made known His mission to Abram, to partner with God in blessing all of His sons and daughters and bringing them back into relationship with Him! This is what the entire bible is about! From Genesis all the way to revelation, we read about a story of God's redemptive plan for mankind and how we continue to fail Him, yet He continues to ask us to partner with Him in His mission to save ALL of His children. To bring back all of the wayward sons and daughters back into right relationship with the Father!