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.”
SSITY
SSITY
OF RISK
“FOR A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST,
THE GOSPEL IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ONE’S LIFE.”