Where
Is My Mission Field?
Harold C. Loucks (January 2004)
The Lord gave the parable of the Good Samaritan
in answer to the lawyer who asked the question, "And who is
my neighbor?" That lawyer had the ulterior motive of trying
to justify himself when it came to loving God and his neighbor
in the proper way. However, as you contemplate this same parable
and this lawyer's question, you should recognize a true challenge
of missions. Ask yourself, "Where is my mission field?" knowing
that the Lord will give you the same answer that He gave to
the lawyer. Please take a few moments to ask yourself the
following questions, not for justification, but rather to
remind and encourage you to be a mission-minded neighbor.
Who are those fallen by the wayside?
Be it in your own subdivision, apartment complex, workplace,
marketplace, recreational facility, or school, you come in
contact with those who are entrapped by sin and on their way
to Hell. These people are spiritually just as hopeless as
the man beaten by thieves and left for dead. Take a moment
to look beyond the façade of their bright smile, happy demeanor,
and laughter to see their troubled hears. People always try
to put on a good front to those around them, but inwardly
turmoil fills their heart because the guilt of sin condemns
them. Whatever, whoever, and wherever you are, your will be
sure to meet those who are "dead in their trespasses and sins."
Who are those passing on the other side?
Those who ignore the spiritual plight of people ravaged by
sin are undoubtedly the ones who have no gospel message to
give to those in need. Such is the case with so-called professing
Christendom. Just as the priest and the Levite passed by on
the other side, those who loudly proclaim that they love people
actually do nothing to show the mercy and compassion of God
because they themselves know nothing of forgiveness of sin
and salvation by faith. Furthermore, how cruel it is to construct
elaborate buildings, offer a variety of activities, and put
on a program every Sunday, but offer nothing of the Biblical
message of Christ. Many people obviously become disillusioned
with religious people as they go on their way to church but
have nothing but a form of godliness with no power.
Who are those who show compassion to the
helpless sinner? The Good Samaritan must have personally
known something of the compassion of God. Even so, knowing
Jesus Christ as your Savior gives you firsthand knowledge
of what it means to be a sinner saved by the grace of God.
It is good to just remind yourself of what it was like when
you were as that man lying by the wayside with no hope of
redemption. How wonderful it was that someone saw you, had
compassion, and shared the Gospel with you. Upon repentance
of sins and believing in Christ, you knew for the first time
the joy of salvation. Now within your hear, there is that
prompting of the Holy Spirit to do something to reach those
who might slip out into eternity and the first of hell before
the night comes again.
Here the underlying spiritual principle is clear:
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Take what you already know
about salvation in Jesus Christ, and be the missionary that
God wants you to be to that neighboring sinner and reach him
with the gospel. The greatest act of love that you can show
is to tell him of Christ and what He did to save them. Truly,
you can show God's mercy to those in need just as someone
showed you the love of God and told you how to be saved. Who
then is the good neighbor? Who is the faithful missionary?
Obviously, it is that one who shows mercy on others. Take
this admonition to hear, "Go, and do thou likewise," and be
a missionary each and every day.
