We exist to be a mirror of God’s image and a channel of His love to the world. As a mirror, we are transformed to look more like Christ, and as a channel of His love, we reach out to God’s people near and far, until “the earth [is] be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). This is the conviction for missions.
We desire that rivers of life shall flow to many people who know nothing about Christ, or who live in rebellion against Christ. We long to see the curse of sin lifted from every soul on earth! As scripture attests, there is a river that will flow from the throne of God for the healing of nations: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse (Rev. 22:1-3).
Where the gospel has not been embraced, the lives of the people stagger. A curse looms over them. Judgment sits upon them, and Satan struts around freely, accomplishing his devilish purposes. This is why we need to pray that Rivers of the Holy Spirit may flow over our missions agenda.
Because God the Father ‘anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power,’ He was able to do good and heal all those oppressed by the devil [Acts 10:37-38].