Sometimes being an agent of redemption is putting new shoes on a child’s feet.
(Photo courtesy Buckner)
USA (MNN) — Do you ever feel like you WANT to do something that makes a difference, but you’re not sure where to start? You’re not alone.
According to Operation World, there are 550 million evangelical Christians worldwide.
If each one of them gave 10% of their income to missions, two million new missionaries would be supported, The Traveling Team reports.
It’s not just about giving to missions, though. The real call is to become an agent of redemption.
“All the skills that we’re given and that we’ve accumulated–business skills, abilities, and resources that we have–could really be employed in God’s redemptive plan for people, both in the U.S. and around the world,” says Dr. Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner International.
Following Christ’s agenda
(Photo courtesy JesusAgenda.org)
In his new book, The Jesus Agenda: Becoming an Agent of Redemption, Reyes outlines why Christians need to put feet on their faith.
“There’s so much more out there that could be done through things like foster care, adoption ministry, and care for orphans, humanitarian aid,” says Reyes.
“I just think there’s so many under-utilized followers of Jesus that are taking up space in pews.”
In His very first sermon, as recorded in Luke 4:16-21, a young Jesus tells those gathered in the Nazarene synagogue that He has come to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy.
“Then He lists five actions,” Reyes observes: “To preach Good News to the poor; to give sight to the blind; liberty to the oppressed; freedom for the captive; and then, to preach the year of our Lord’s favor.”
Along with fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, Dr. Reyes says the five “action points” were accomplished in Christ’s ministry. Since that’s what Jesus did while He was on the earth, a natural conclusion would be that His followers should follow suit.
Christ Himself puts it more plainly in Matthew 28: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Becoming an Agent of Redemption
(Photo credit Buckner)
Getting involved in work of redemption is simple, but can be intimidating. In The Jesus Agenda, Dr. Reyes explains how you can become an agent of redemption.
“It’s an easy book for Bible study groups to take and apply the principles,” says Reyes.
“It has discussion questions at the end of each chapter, and…there’s a biblical focus that runs through each chapter of the book.”
