Life in the Spirit · Evangelism and Mission

Has God entrusted us with something?

7 min read, approximately

Genesis 1:27-28
“God created humankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them: Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, and every creature that moves upon the earth.”

From the beginning, God created man and woman with a clear, direct, and concise purpose, without hesitation, confusion, or uncertainty.

\1. Marry and become one flesh with your spouse

“From the rib the LORD God had taken from the man, he made a woman and brought her to the man. Then Adam said: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken from Man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:22-24)

The man and woman are attracted to each other, love each other, and together build a marriage and, in turn, a family.

\2. Be fruitful and multiply

“God blessed them and said to them: Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:28a)

Fruit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Multiply?

“Look, children are an inheritance from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a precious gift.” (Psalms 127:3)

\3. Subdue and rule

“And subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, and every creature that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28b)

We do not choose whether or not to be stewards; we are simply born to manage what belongs to God.

“When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you formed, I say: What is man that you remember him, and the son of man that you visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him rule over the works of your hands; you placed everything beneath his feet.” (Psalms 8:3-6)

How wonderful the Lord is!

“For just as rain and snow descend from the heavens and do not return there without watering the earth, making it sprout and produce, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and succeed in the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

So it is no surprise that everything the Lord commissioned at creation came to pass!
However, now that all this has happened, we have a new task:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And look, I am with you every day, until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

How and why should we do this?

\1. Because if we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are no longer the same (Romans 10:8-9) We are now his children! (John 1:12) All the more reason, then, for us to be entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation; the old things have passed away, and look, all things have become new. All this comes from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s sins against them, and he entrusted us with the word of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors in Christ’s name, as though God were appealing through us. We plead with you in Christ’s name: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

\2. Because people need to know who God is

“The fool says in his heart: There is no God. They have become corrupt and do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon humankind to see if anyone understood, if anyone sought God.” (Psalms 14:1-2)

But

“How, then, will they call upon the one in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to preach to them?” (Romans 10:14)

Let us remember what Ephesians 2:1-10 says!

\3. Because people need to know that there is hope

“There is still hope for everyone who is among the living.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4a)

People need to know that

“…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Therefore,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

That is why

“…God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

There is still hope.

“Which of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he gathers his friends and neighbors and says: Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7)

\4. Because God does not want anyone to perish

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Therefore,

“I solemnly charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdom: Preach the word; persist in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not endure sound teaching, but, wanting their ears tickled, will gather teachers to suit their own desires. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn instead to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

Could the Master and Lord of the universe… have entrusted us with something?

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and ailment among the people. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were helpless and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples: Truly the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!