“Let heaven and earth be my witnesses against you this day that I have put before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; so choose life, that you may live, you and your offspring."
(Deuteronomy 30: 19)
What do you do? and for what? The answer to these questions defines the mission, concept that guides the management of an institution's strategic plan, from the family, the first divine institution, to secular institutions. The mission guides everything and everyone in the purpose of the institution's existence. In the specific case of Christianity, the golden text of the Holy Bible, the mission of Jesus, answers these two questions, but see:
"For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.”
(John 3.16)
The redemptive work of Jesus encompasses since the first miracle, in a wedding feast, turning water into wine, until the resurrection of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. The first miracle, signifying celebration and joy, and the resurrection signifying the celebration of life. So, law and grace (Jesus), undeserved favor. In grace is salvation, deliverance, healing, prosperity and peace, while in law is condemnation, imprisonment of the soul, disease, misery and affliction. In short, in the grace of Jesus is the celebration of life, in the law, death.
A reflection follows on the decisive role of Jesus' apostles, continuing in their mission, in keeping the word of the witness of Christ.
“The book of Acts reports the decisive role of Jesus' apostles in the advancement of the Church: The apostles kept the word of Christ's testimony, obeying by faith. Today, it's no different. The children of God (John 1:12) must keep the Word of Christ, the expression of the message of the Holy Spirit, according to a letter addressed to the Church of Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:8)”
(Extracted from the book, Cristology at your Reach, 2010)
The Blessing in Jesus Christ, celebration of life, foretold in the call of Abram (Genesis 12: 3), therefore, even before the law given through Moses. In the fullness of time, God sent Jesus to rescue humanity, the Son's mission.
"... and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed."
(Genesis 12:3)
For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
So choose life ...
We are the righteousness of God in Christ.
Manoel Lúcio da Silva Neto is master in Production Engineering (Media and Knowledge), author of the book Cristology at your Reach, 2010.