by David H. Snyder - Executive Editor

Soon after our inception in 1960, BIMI's motto became "Into all the World." Obviously, these words come from Mark 16:15 where Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." When the Lord gave us this command, He expected us to obey. Some might question the possibility of being able to accomplish such a large task. However, God would not give us a job He wanted us to complete if He knew it could not be done. In considering this task, I would like to emphasize some basic but vital truths that must be realized if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission.

First of all, we must be extremely committed to the task. If we respond to Christ's command with an apathetic attitude, the job will not get done. If we were to take a poll among Christians today, I believe that most believers would recognize the importance of the Great Commission. I feel confident that a majority of those who know Christ would say they are concerned about seeing souls saved around the world. However, saying this with our mouths and living it with our lives are two different things. Sadly, the Great Commission has all too often taken second place to the "American Dream." I wonder how much more would be accomplished for the Lord if we were as committed to "going into all the world" as we are to "keeping up with the Joneses." A life dedicated to the pursuit of comfort and financial security is not what Jesus had in mind when He said, "…whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" or "…whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27 & 33). True disciples are passionate about and committed to the concerns and commands of the one they are following.

Second, we must be extremely comprehensive in our approach. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…" (John 3:16). We have been instructed to be witnesses…both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). Since God loves every person in the world, we are to reach every person in the world. I have heard many Christians say they were burdened for a particular part of the world. This may be true, but a burden for a specific area of the world must not result in a disregard for the rest of God's harvest field. If someone has a life threatening illness affecting two equally important areas of his body, he would not neglect one area while treating the other. Certainly, if it were at all possible, this person would want to address both areas simultaneously. As we know, there is a serious disease that affects every area of the world. That disease is called sin. To be concerned about the sin problem in one part of the world while overlooking the other parts is not logical. Furthermore, to neglect certain parts of the world is disobedience to the Great Physician's command to make known His saving health among all nations (Psalm 67:2). Going into all the world is not an either/or consideration but rather an everyone/everywhere commission.

Finally, we must be extremely conscious that we cannot do this job in our own strength. Jesus reminded us of this fact when He said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world…" (Matthew 28:18–20). Truly, without the Lord, we can do nothing (John 15:5). The only way we can experience God's power is when we acknowledge our own weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10). We can organize, plan, prepare, promote, preach and work endless hours, but if all of these things are done in our own strength, nothing eternal will be accomplished. God must call and equip the missionary; God must empower and enable the church to send the missionary; God must work in the hearts of the people to whom the missionary has been sent. The Lord does the saving, but He has chosen us as the instruments through whom the message of salvation is to be proclaimed. God will always do His part but He expects us to do our part first. Often, until we obey God's will, He is still but as we fulfill our role, God takes control (cf. Joshua 3:12–17). The Lord uses us as tools in His hand but He alone is the Master Craftsman with the ability to do the work. We must pray as if everything depends on God (because it does) and work as if everything depends on us (because He has privileged us with that responsibility)! From the beginning, BIMI has taken seriously the command of our Lord to go into all the world. It is a privilege to partner with churches and individuals who also realize the importance of this motto—a motto that comes directly from the lips of Jesus Christ. Our Lord's Great Commission was not a suggestion for us to consider but rather a command for us to obey. Christ's directive can indeed be accomplished. However, we must be extremely committed to a totally comprehensive approach and be exceedingly conscious of our need for the One to Whom all power has been given.

Monday, May 21, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

J Steve & Nohemy Sidler -  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Mark A & Linda Sigstad -  NIGERIA
Larry & Phyllis Simensen -  MILITARY - GERMANY