Why are Christians to engage in mission? There are lots of good answers you could give, like: we promote Christ because He tells us to and because people need Him.

True. But there is a more basic reality driving God’s mission to the world: there is only one God.

The most fundamental creed in the Bible is: “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) That is, He is the one and only.

In the New Testament that creed is repeated in the light of Jesus’ coming: “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one …there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6) What has this got to do with mission? If there is only one God and one Lord in the universe, then all people belong to him and owe him their worship and his people must promote this truth everywhere.

We are to: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” (Psalm 96:3-5) The God of the Bible is the only God. Everyone should worship him.

Paul Baxendale Minister, Parr Street Evangelical Church