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Difficulties in Missions, Part 1, by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     On May 12, 1792 William Carey published a little pamphlet entitled, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. By God’s grace, his words inspired the modern missionary movement, and by God’s grace, I’m praying that they will inspire a fresh passion for global missions at Glory of Christ.

     In the second section of his pamphlet, Carey identified and responded to several difficulties that made it challenging for the church of his day to preach the gospel to the nations of the world. First, the nations that most needed to hear the gospel were quite distant from England, and therefore reaching them would not be easy. However, Carey argued, advances in navigational technology made this a moot point, for it had become common for advanced countries to travel about the world. This was especially true for commercial enterprises, and Carey suggested that Isaiah 60 was a prophecy that predicted “commerce shall subserve the spread of the gospel.” Whether his interpretation was right or not, his point is well taken, and much more so in our day when a person can board a plane and be almost anywhere on earth in less than a day.
     Second, many of the nations that most needed to hear the gospel lived in a “barbarous state,” making it difficult at best to live among them and preach the gospel to them. Carey retorted, “this can be no objection to any, except those whose love of ease renders them unwilling to expose themselves to inconveniences for the good of others.” Indeed, he went on to suggest that their “uncivilized way of life” was a reason for and not against preaching the gospel to them. How can nations that have received so much grace from the Lord withhold that same grace from others?
     Third, many of the nations that most needed to hear the gospel presented a mortal threat to those who would go. “It is true that whoever does go must put his life in his hand, and not consult with flesh and blood. But do not the goodness of the cause, the duties incumbent on us as the creatures of God, and Christians, and the perishing state of our fellow men, loudly call upon us to venture all and use every warrantable exertion for their benefit?”
     Finally, since language is necessary to preaching the gospel, the inability to speak all the languages of the world makes the Great Commission difficult, if not impossible, to obey. To this Carey responded that those with commercial interests had found ways of dealing with language barriers (like securing translators or learning the primary languages of various areas), and that those with gospel interests should be all the more motivated to do the same. This point is all the more persuasive when we consider the Holy Spirit’s ability to give his people the ability to speak any language in heaven or on earth!
     Yes, preaching the gospel to the nations of the world is difficult, and yes, it is possible with God’s help. So, what should keep us from obeying?

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