"Paul's mission is greatly affected by one decisive difference between ordinary grace periods and this God-given one---we, the debtors, have not been told how long the grace period will last."
-Stan Nussbaum
Paul's urgency towards mission is strongly driven by his understanding of the grace period. He has no idea when Jesus will return, but he fully understands the good news as a result of his personal encounter with Jesus that he can only approach missions with urgency. He also knows that justice will be the result of Jesus' return, and that he is justified by grace through faith- but this good news has not yet been carried to the ends of the earth.
I think today in the churches that I am familiar with and especially in my own life we do a great job in showing grace and being strategic in our missional efforts- but I sense this lack of urgency that Paul carried. His relationships and passion that he built with the people he came in contact with were built with urgency for kingdom growth. He not only shared the good news with them, but taught with such an urgency that it reflected his confidence. We are so casual about the way that we do life week to week, and even in our attempts to be missional- it seems to be done with timidity and discomfort. This lack of urgency in our missional efforts is dangerous because it is strongly a reflection in our confidence in the news that we are sharing. It could be helpful for local churches to be consistent in teaching classes focused on the urgency of the Gospel, but the best way for the gospel to advance is for the urgently missional pauls within the church to find timothy's and commit to doing life with them, so that they see and understand the Gospel in every aspect of life.
God renew my understanding of grace each day, turn my self-reflected desires into an urgency for your kingdom. Multiply discipleship in my life- I commit to you a life of teaching young men to follow the Jesus that has given me life.
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