Biblically-Based Competency

MCF1.3 Competency: Trinitarian Personhood in Service

Living in a Way that Mirrors God’s Redemptive and Restoration Work

The mission of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing His purpose to redeem, restore, and transform the world. This mission is deeply rooted in the Trinitarian nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—working together in perfect unity. From the creation of humanity to reflect God’s image, to Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross, to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, God’s mission encompasses every aspect of life. For Christians, this understanding is not just a theological concept but a call to live missionally in everyday life. Embracing God’s mission means living as image-bearers of God, participating in His work of restoration and reconciliation in the world. This essay explores five approaches that connect this biblical view of God’s mission to everyday missional practice, providing practical ways believers can live out their faith in a broken and needy world.

1. Imaging God in Relationships

God exists in perfect relationship within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each person fully loving, knowing, and serving the other. Humanity, created in the image of this relational God (Genesis 1:26-27), is designed to reflect this love and connection in every relationship. Missional living, therefore, involves fostering relationships that are characterized by love, unity, and self-sacrifice. Reflecting God’s relational nature means showing genuine care, empathy, and commitment to others, whether in families, friendships, or communities.

Biblical Illustration:
God’s declaration in Genesis, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), points to the intrinsic need for relationships that mirror the communal nature of the Trinity. This truth is further exemplified in the loving unity between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which serves as a model for human relationships. Just as the Trinity operates in perfect harmony, humans are called to nurture relationships that reflect mutual care and self-giving love.

Applications:

  • At Home
    In everyday family life, make intentional efforts to build relationships that are based on self-giving love, patience, and forgiveness. For example, this can involve parents dedicating time to connect meaningfully with their children, ensuring that their needs are met and their voices heard. Practicing forgiveness within the family, when misunderstandings or conflicts arise, mirrors the grace that God extends to humanity.
  • In the Community
    Living missionally in your neighborhood or workplace involves taking the time to form authentic connections with those around you. This could mean inviting a lonely neighbor over for a meal or actively participating in community events to foster deeper relationships. The goal is to reflect God’s invitation for people to experience the loving relationships that exist within the Trinity by demonstrating genuine hospitality and inclusion.

2. Embodying Redeemed Humanity

Through Christ, believers are redeemed and restored to their true purpose as image-bearers of God. Sin once distorted the image of God in humanity, but through the work of Jesus, believers are called to embody a new way of life. As new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), Christians are empowered to live out their identity in righteousness and holiness, representing God’s character to the world. This transformation not only shapes individual behavior but also equips believers to impact society through their actions and values.

Biblical Illustration:
Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 4:24, “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” reveals that redeemed humanity is to reflect God’s character. This “new self” represents a departure from the old, sinful nature, and a commitment to live according to God’s ways. In Christ, believers are not merely saved from sin, but are called to live in a way that displays the nature and goodness of God to the world.

Applications:

  • Personal Integrity
    As a believer, living with integrity means aligning every aspect of your life with God’s standards. In practical terms, this could involve being honest in financial dealings, even when no one is watching, or standing up for truth in situations where it might be easier to compromise. By choosing to live righteously in your workplace, home, or community, you serve as a visible testimony of God’s transforming power in the lives of His people.
  • Witnessing through Change
    Sharing your personal story of transformation is a powerful way to witness to others. Whether it’s through a casual conversation with a coworker or sharing in a small group setting, your testimony of how God has changed your heart and habits can encourage others to see how God’s redemption impacts every area of life. This could also mean mentoring or discipling someone who is struggling, offering them guidance and support as they pursue their own spiritual growth.

3. Restoring Brokenness through Missional Love

The reality of sin has caused deep brokenness in the world—affecting individuals, families, communities, and systems. However, the mission of God is to bring restoration to this brokenness. Christians are called to participate in this work of restoration by bringing healing, reconciliation, and justice where it is needed most. Whether it’s through addressing systemic injustice or mending personal relationships, missional living involves working to restore God’s design for peace and wholeness in the world.

Biblical Illustration:
Jesus’ mission, as proclaimed in Luke 4:18-19, includes bringing good news to the poor, setting the oppressed free, and healing the brokenhearted. This passage highlights how Jesus’ ministry was focused on restoring people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. His acts of healing, forgiveness, and deliverance serve as a model for how Christians can engage in missional acts of restoration today.

Applications:

  • Engaging in Justice
    Missional living calls believers to be advocates for those who are marginalized or oppressed. This could involve volunteering with local organizations that serve refugees, the homeless, or victims of human trafficking. It may also mean raising awareness of unjust systems and supporting initiatives that promote fair treatment for all people. By engaging in this work, Christians demonstrate God’s heart for justice and restoration.
  • Healing Relationships
    On a more personal level, missional living involves pursuing reconciliation in relationships that have been damaged by conflict, misunderstanding, or sin. This can involve taking the first step toward forgiveness with a family member or friend, or seeking counsel and healing in a broken marriage. By intentionally restoring relationships, believers model the reconciliation that Christ offers through the gospel.

4. Living in Dependence on the Holy Spirit

The mission of God cannot be carried out in human strength alone. It requires the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. As believers, living missionally means relying daily on the Holy Spirit to lead, empower, and sustain us in our work, relationships, and witness. The Holy Spirit equips us with the wisdom to make decisions, the courage to share the gospel, and the strength to persevere in difficult situations. Missional living is therefore not a solo endeavor but a Spirit-empowered partnership with God.

Biblical Illustration:
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This passage emphasizes the central role the Holy Spirit plays in the mission of God. The disciples’ boldness and effectiveness in spreading the gospel came directly from their reliance on the Holy Spirit’s power.

Applications:

  • Daily Prayer for Guidance
    Make it a daily habit to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in every area of your life. Whether you’re facing a major life decision, dealing with a difficult situation at work, or considering how best to serve others, rely on prayer to invite the Holy Spirit’s direction. This could involve setting aside dedicated time each morning to pray specifically for God’s wisdom and empowerment throughout your day.
  • Empowering Others
    Encourage others in their walk with Christ by helping them cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit. This can take place in small groups, prayer gatherings, or one-on-one mentorships, where believers can pray for one another and ask the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions and actions. By fostering a community of prayer and dependence on God’s Spirit, you help empower others to live missionally.

5. Demonstrating God’s Trinitarian Love through Service

God’s nature is self-giving and others-focused, as seen in the loving relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians, as image-bearers of God, are called to reflect this love by serving others with humility and grace. Missional living involves a lifestyle of service that goes beyond the self, seeking to meet the needs of others in tangible ways. Whether it’s in the church, the workplace, or the community, serving others reflects the heart of God and advances His kingdom on earth.

Biblical Illustration:
Jesus’ act of washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17) is a profound example of servant leadership. Though He was their teacher and Lord, Jesus humbled Himself to serve His disciples, modeling what true greatness looks like in the kingdom of God. This act of service not only demonstrated His love but also called His followers to do the same for others.

Applications:

  • Serving the Church
    Use your gifts and time to meet the needs of your church community. This could involve volunteering in ministries such as teaching Sunday school, participating in worship, or serving in administrative roles. Additionally, looking for ways to serve behind the scenes—whether it’s cleaning the church or preparing meals for church events—demonstrates humility and reflects Christ’s servant heart.
  • Serving the Workplace
    In the workplace, look for opportunities to serve your coworkers in ways that reflect God’s love and selflessness. This could mean offering to help a colleague with a project they’re struggling with, or simply being a source of encouragement and support when others are feeling overwhelmed. Serving others in these practical ways not only strengthens relationships but also opens doors for sharing the love of Christ in everyday settings.

Conclusion

Living missionally is not a task reserved for church leaders or overseas missionaries but is the calling of every Christian. By embracing a Trinitarian view of God’s mission, believers can live out their faith in practical, everyday ways that reflect God’s relational love, redemptive work, and restorative power. Whether through forming loving relationships, embodying redeemed humanity, engaging in acts of justice, depending on the Holy Spirit, or serving others selflessly, each approach allows believers to participate in God’s ongoing mission in the world. As we align our lives with God’s purposes, we not only reflect His image but also invite others to experience His love and transformation in their lives.

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