Who is a True Missionary? Part 2
Article – Andrew Smith :: Image – via Wikipedia
The original is translated by ‘Gentleman’ and posted on the OrthodoxChristianity.net forum. Below is my summary. Like the translation, I’m going to divide my summaries into four parts before doing a commentary…
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The highest crowns in the Kingdom of Heaven are for missionaries. In the Canon for Holy Communion, there is no reference to monks, but there is of missionaries. In Scripture, almost nothing is said about monks while much is said about missionaries.
The work of the missionary is to be on the borders of worlds, while being undefiled by this world. The missionary is between three worlds: from the human world, being the living letter of Christ and the breath of the Holy Spirit. In the missionary the Holy Spirit works and directs him to truth and reminding of what the Saviour promised. John 15:26 applies especially for the missionary.
The missionary is the messenger of God on earth, a sheep among wolfs – but a sheep with an unbreakable skin, de-toothing the wolves. The image of the missionary snatching souls from the devil for Christ is like that of David, who snatched a sheep from the mouth of a lion. Missionaries go to the mosque, the sects, the pagans, the non-believers, and proclaims the word of Christ, pulling them from darkness into light, with the word that is of the Spirit (ref. 1 Cor 2:4).
The missionary knows what a miracle is, because miracles follow a missionary, and the missionary sees Scripture fulfilled. He doesn’t have a city or homeland, except that among God and His saints. He is strengthened on the foundation of Christ, His apostles and prophets, as inheritor and follower of them. he follows in their steps to receive their reward from God.
The Lord said ‘whosoever receive my messenger because he is mine shall not lose his reward, even if he but give a cup of cold water to drink’ (paraph., Mark 9). Imagine how great the reward of the preacher who preaches the word of God where they don’t want to hear it.
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