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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “God at work on the edges. In the context of our reflection, an edge means the part of an object that is furthest from its centre. In other the words, an edge refers to the margins of a thing. Let us picture an A4 sheet or paper. It has a white area or sufface and also has for sides, which are the edges. The white sufface, which is the area of attention and usage, can be likened to the Israelites, and the four edges that are not used or of less importance can be likened to the Gentiles. The Israelites considered themselves to be the center of God’s mission, but God was also at work among the Gentiles who were on the edge. We shall reflect on the fact that God’s mission and salvation are not limited to only those at the center but also extends to those at the edge, therefore, we must evangelise without ceasing.

Dear friend in the Lord, In Act 11:1-30, we clearly see God at work on the edges. In fact, the whole of the Book of Acts written by Apostle Luke is a demonstration of the fact that the Jews were not only at the centre of God’s mission but they had the privilege to be at the centre so that through them God will work on the Gentiles who were on the edges. The Jews were at the centre because of the Covenant God had with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. In Act 11, the Jews finally understood God’s mission when Peter narrated his encounter with the Holy Spirit at the house of Cornelius the Gentile in Acts 10. Finally, the Jews came to the conclusion through Peter’s report that God’s mission and salvation were beyond Israel. Peter said, “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they (the Jews) heard these things, they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Act 11:17-18

Beloved in the Lord, Christians are the New Israel, Jesus’ covenant with us supercedes the Abrahamic covenant. We are now at the centre, and God’s mission is to use us to work or reach out to those are lost and perishing on the edges. It is for this reason that Jesus placed overwhelming importance on Evangelism when He commissioned His disciples saying ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Beloved in the Lord, the top most priority of the Churh is evangelism. Evangelism is the demonstration of the fact that God is at work on the edges where our brother and sister who are beyond the walls of salvation are found. A church that does not prioritize nor invest in evangelism is no different from the erroneous mentality most Jews had when they thought that Salvation is only for them. Again, in Matthew 9:10-13, Jesus clearly states that His mission embraces those who are on the edges. “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” It is not church’s mandate to settle at the centre and build beautiful chapels and decorated walls around itself. To fulfill God’s mission and the Great Commission, the church must purposefully or deliberate invest in evangelism and mission to reach out to those on the edges.

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme “God at work on the edges” We have discovered that God’s mission and salvation is not limited to only those at the center (believers) but also extends to those at the edge (the lost and perishing), therefore, we must prioritize evangelism and evangelize without ceasing until the second coming of our Lor Jesus Christ. Shalom

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, grant us the consciousness, determination, and strength to continue in God’s mission of reaching out to those on the edges. May the church and believers be greatly empowered and encouraged to go out of their comfort zones to preach and welcome the lost and perishing on the edges to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.