Scriptures encouraging risk
Even with a compelling call and prayerful confirma-
tion, mission work requires commitment. Jesus sent
his disciples out “as sheep in the midst of wolves”
and told them to “be shrewd as serpents and inno-
cent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). He also admonished
them, “Beware of men, for they will hand you over
to the courts and scourge you” (Matthew 10:17).
Believers should be courageous, but they should
also be shrewd, blameless, aware of danger, and
prepared to face hardship.
Jesus told His disciples, “If they persecuted Me,
they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). He also
said, “Take up [your] cross daily and follow Me”
(Luke 9:23). For a disciple of Christ, the Gospel is
more important than one’s life. Paul exemplified this
attitude in Acts 20:24: “But I do not consider my life
of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish
my course and the ministry which I received from
the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of
the grace of God.”
Upon hearing Paul’s resolve, residents begged him
not to go. Paul countered: “I am ready not only
to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the
name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Persuaded by
Paul’s resolve, his friends entrusted Paul to God’s
providence: “And since he would not be persuaded,
we fell silent, remarking, ‘The will of the Lord be
done!’” (Acts 21:14).
In Acts 15, the council of Jerusalem praised Paul
and Barnabas as “men who have risked their lives
for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:26).
Other texts show the reality of danger in service for
Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:30; 2 Corinthians 11:23
[9 times!]).
Other passages honor those who bravely risked
their lives. Prisca and Aquila “risked their own necks”
(Romans 16:4). Epaphroditus “came close to death for
the work of Christ, risking his life….” (Philippians 2:30).
“Paul, near the end of his life, admonishes others to
“Suffer hardship with me” (2 Timothy 2:3), and to
“endure hardship” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Our willingness to serve in difficult or dangerous
places is related to our estimation of the Gospel’s
worth and the importance of sharing it. God provi-
dentially leads some who follow Him into dangerous
lands. He encourages everyone with His promises
and confronts us all with the need to leave our
comfort zones for His sake. Before she traveled to
South Sudan on a missionary trip, I asked a young
lady, “Aren’t you concerned about possible problems
with security?” She replied, “To me, it’s worth it so
that they can hear the Gospel.”
WALTER
LOESCHER
BY
1. All Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the NASB® New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update
(La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).
NECESSITY
NECESSITY
The Gospel goes where believers go and believers
go where God sends them. The Great Commission
is clear. Jesus sends believers to all the nations, not
just to some of them. Conscious of His command
and emboldened by His promises, Christ’s disciples
overcome formidable obstacles to bring the Gospel
to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
A daunting barrier to the proclamation of the Gospel
is the risk of danger or harm. Assessing risk before
hazarding a mission into the unknown is a wise
precaution. But
how does one
measure peril
against
the
worth of advanc-
ing the Gospel?
Is risking life
and limb vital to
missions?
Considering the call
“Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9b).
After hearing the appeal in a vision, Paul and his
missionary team concluded that “God had called
us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:10). Paul
went to Philippi in Macedonia. There he was dragged
into a market, stripped of his robes, beaten with
rods, and put into stocks. In subsequent visits to
Thessalonica, Paul’s friends had to spirit him out
of the city at night. Although there was a warmer
reception to the Gospel in Berea, his visit was cut
short by opponents.
Later while in Corinth, Paul faced danger again. The
Lord reassured Paul in another vision and offered
words of encouragement: “Do not be afraid any
longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man will attack you in
order to harm you, for I have many people in this
city” (Acts 18:9–10). The assurance of God’s presence
and His protection fortified Paul. He firmly believed
that Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth.
Many people in that city would ultimately belong
to Jesus. Paul “settled there a year and six months,
teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11).
While it would be nice to receive a vision explaining
where to go and what to do, the point of these
texts is not to wait for a vision. Rather, a missionary
should trust in God’s providential guidance and the
conclusions of godly coworkers. God’s call is His
providential leading.
THE OF RISK
“ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. GO
THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF
ALL THE NATIONS…” 1
Matthew 28:18–19 says
“FOR A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST,
THE GOSPEL IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ONE’S LIFE.”