(By: Eddie Goodwin)

“The Christian without a missionary heart is an anomaly.  The missionary heart will be seen in all kinds of ways: in prayers for the lost, in making sure our behavior offends no one, in gospel conversations with friends (at dinner parties!), and in making every effort to save some.  We are slaves without rights, even though we are free (cf. 2Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:7).

…Disciples are called to a disctinctive, ’salty’ lifestyle characterized by good deeds and righteousness.  By living this way, we shine as lights in the world, attracting praise not to ourselves but to God our Father (Matt. 5:13-16).  We are called to pray for the bold proclamation of the gospel in the world (Col. 4:2-3).  Our conversation with outsiders should be gracious yet provocative, giving appropriate answers to the questions that are prompted by our way of life (Col. 4:5-6).  The sound doctrine of the gospel produces a radical Christian way of life that gives no ground for slander, and makes the teaching of the gospel attractive to the world (Titus 2:1-10).  Like God’s chosen people Israel, Christians both corporately and privately are to make God known to the nations by declaring His mercies in the gospel and by living a holy life (1Peter 2:9-12; 3:1-2).  Even in the midst of persecution, believers are to surrender to the lordship of Christ and gently give a defence of the hope that we have in the gospel (1Peter 3:15)”  (p.52).