Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)
Just as the message of Corinthians is a message of love, so too is the heart of those who desire to go into the mission field. The worker of the gospel is compelled by this love to go forth and to show the love of Christ to those in need.
I had an opportunity to go to the Ukraine on a mission trip a few years ago and saw the hunger of the people for the gospel. Soldiers sitting in a cold dark barracks listening to the message of love and salvation and eagerly accepting Bibles being given out. How would they have received Bibles if these people hadn’t gone into the mission field and given them? If no one went how would they have heard? If those who went didn’t demonstrate the love of Christ how would they see the tangible love of Christ. If no one went and gave out tracts and Bibles how would they be able to have the written word in their hands?
This is the labourer going into the mission field, motivated by love for people. The same people that our Jesus died for.
We also went into schools and were able to share the gospel and give the children pens and writing books. How would they get these things if people weren’t willing to go into the mission field.
We went into hospitals and were able to lay hands on the sick and pray for them.
This was a mission trip that was life changing. We get so comfortable in our cosy homes and have so much. Going on this trip and seeing people with nothing and yet were so eager to hear the good news was very humbling.
Going into the mission field is a very real and tangible way to express the beautiful love chapter in our Bible.
-Deborah Johnston
