“. . . and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”

— Genesis 1:28

Yesterday we learned that the early Christians “turned the world upside down.” We addressed the need to proclaim the Gospel, which has the potential to change individual lives. Today I want to deal with the social impact of the Gospel.

When you look at the impact of the Church in history, you can see the incredible ways Christianity has transformed the world for the better. Although these changes didn’t happen overnight, we see the Gospel’s influence in abolishing slavery in the United States, bringing about university education, inspiring some of the greatest art in the world, causing hospitals to be built all over the world, and spreading a higher morality the world over. These changes occurred as Christians spread the Gospel to the world around them. These powerful results reflect obedience to what I call “the cultural mandate” that God gave to humankind in Genesis 1—that we should subdue the earth for God’s glory.

God has commissioned us to transform the world. Unfortunately, it’s easy to put our blinders on and ignore the impact of worldwide events. Too many professing Christians have developed a certain pietistic, self-centered view, pursuing only that which makes them feel good rather than the revolution Christ desires.

I thank God for men and women who are genuinely concerned that the gospel of Christ has its application in every realm of the world. What part are you playing in making this dream a reality? Will you join me and the rest of God’s devoted servants as we endeavor to change the world for the better?

“Jesus Christ is ‘the Man who changed the world.’”
Herbert Lockyer