[featured_image] Welcome to Day 19 as you Take the Missional Challenge!

Take the Missional Challenge is a 31 Day experience designed to help align believers with Jesus’ mission. Each day’s post includes missional concepts and activities. For more information – click here.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

To live on mission with Jesus, we have to pay attention to issues of justice and mercy around us. Both justice and mercy are required by God.

Ask yourself: Do I simply live in my community, or do I live for my community?

There’s a big difference. Consider how you can reflect God’s heart for the poor, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the strangers and aliens, the migrants and refugees, the hopeless and helpless, and the last, the lost and the least.

“Most evangelical churches help people know Christ and walk humbly with God. The church makes a critical transition when it looks outside its four walls and begins to extend mercy to those around it But to act justly is much more difficult, for it seeks to address underlying causes more than symptoms.” (Ray Bakke, A Theology as Big as the City)

“Christ did not come into our lives just to make us better but also to give us the power to make the world a better place through our ministry and service to others.” (Rusaw and Swanson, The Externally Focused Church)

“Social action is not done in order to communicate the gospel but as a sign or evidence that the gospel has already been received and acted upon. Social ministry is the loving service of Christians set free by the risen Lord from sins and bondage.” (Ray Bakke, The Urban Christian)

DAY 19 ACTION STEP: What action will you take to demonstrate mercy and justice to your community?

  • Reflect on Luke 4:18-20 and Matthew 25:34-46
  • Consider where mercy is needed and where there is injustice in your community.
  • Ask God how He would use you to make a difference.
  • Commit yourself to obey anything the Spirit is leading you to do!

Day 19 Missional Challenge: Make a difference in your community. Be merciful and address the causes of injustice.

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