If you find yourself feeling like there must be more to the Christian life, but you’re not sure what it looks like, it might be time to ask God if you are mission minded. What does it mean to be mission minded? Simply put, being mission minded means going after Jesus and following Him in all we do.
(Want to see what mission-minded living actually looks like in practice? Here’s what it means to be a Kingdom Laborer — and how anyone can step into that calling.)
Disciples Need to be Mission Minded
Jesus once called Peter “Satan”—a harsh rebuke for one of His most devout disciples. But Jesus rebuked Peter for one simple reason. Peter was not understanding the mission. Not being mission minded can go as far as to be a tool of Satan. Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is a stark warning for disciples to be mission minded.
Jesus’ mission on earth was to:
- Demonstrate God’s love for the world
- Die on the cross for sin
- Fulfill God’s plan of salvation
He was mission minded, and “He set His face to go to Jerusalem,” (Luke 9:51) where He knew He would suffer and die a brutal death at the hands of the religious elite. Jesus would not be swayed or distracted from the will of God the Father. Jesus was completely mission minded, literally to the point of death.
The problem came when Jesus tried to reveal this true mission to His disciples. Peter simply wasn’t getting it. He had his own idea of what the Messiah’s mission should be, and actually took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for suggesting otherwise. Peter had ideas that didn’t involve suffering, death, or the cross. Peter was not mission minded but wanted his own agenda instead of God’s agenda. That is why Jesus called Peter “Satan” and said that he should “get behind” Him—because Peter was unknowingly speaking for Satan.
Self-Minded Keeps Us from Mission Minded
It is easy to understand Peter’s concerns because he was thinking exactly like many Christians today. The appeals of this world create a powerful vortex hurtling us to be self-minded:
- Comfort
- Peace
- Prosperity
- Legitimate cares
- Innate desire to be our own god
The “self” is insidious in pursuing me, myself, and mine:
- My life
- My time
- My stuff
- My fulfillment
- My agenda
- My will
- My mission
Even good things can become god-things such as:
- My children
- My spiritual gifts
- My ministry
- My legacy.
Where there is too much of the “my” and not enough of “His,” we can be sure we are not mission minded. To be mission minded means putting Jesus first in every part of our lives.
Mission Minded for Jesus
Jesus calls all disciples to deny self, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him. This is a radical call to every Christian to be mission minded because Jesus handed His mission baton to us. We are called to:
- Love God and love people (Matthew 22)
- Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28)
- Be Jesus’ witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1).
This is the mission mindset of all disciples until Jesus returns or until we take our last breath.
Denying ourselves is about giving our primary allegiance to King Jesus and His mission in everything. Self-denial in this sense is not about self-punishment or sorrow, it means submission of my will, time, attention, and personal resources to God’s Gospel-agenda. Taking up the cross means being willing to sacrifice to do so, to pay a high price and even suffer for the sake of the mission because Jesus’ love has conquered us.
Are You Mission Minded?
To be mission minded simply means following Jesus in obedience. Obedience not just to the lifestyle, but to the mission. This is Jesus’ command. And His call is to live it daily in the everyday moments of life.
Here are 5 questions you can engage with God in prayer to see if you are mission minded:
- Am I following Jesus in daily, interactive relationship, hearing His voice, receiving His love, and relying on His leadership?
- Am I able to surrender my will, my plans, my timing, my ideas, my resources, my results to God when He asks me to do so?
- Am I able to see my sin when Holy Spirit reveals it to me, acknowledge it to Jesus, receive His forgiveness, turn from what was wrong, and walk forward with Him in joy?
- Am I willing to put others’ needs before my own and share Jesus’ love and hope with them, even to the point of my own suffering?
- Do I run to Jesus for help and sustenance when facing the cares of life or assaults on my comfort, peace, and prosperity?
(Not sure where to start? Here’s how to advance God’s Kingdom in everyday life — one small step at a time.)
Being mission minded does not mean that we must somehow earn the salvation that Jesus paid for so dearly. That is impossible because salvation is free, and only by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nor does being mission minded mean that everyone is called to vocational ministry or the mission field, nor to neglect personal health, family responsibilities, or loving others well.
But being mission minded does mean that we ask God to help us have a holy intentionality behind everything we do, how we do it, following Jesus with every step, the conversations we have, friendships we pursue, money we spend, and the focus of our prayers: to point people to Jesus Christ.
Not sure where you are on your journey? Take the Spiritual Multiplication Quiz to find out.
