Question: Wouldn't there be less martyrdom of Christians if we would simply wait to do missionary activity in places until we are invited there? Can't we rely on God to provide us opportunities to share the Gospel, rather than bringing it to regions where it is not fully wanted?

     Answer: I understand why one might ask these things, however, the questions imply that it is wrong to be proactive in ministry. It seems clear to me that missions are, biblically speaking, supposed to include aggressive evangelism. Yes this will bring persecution, but Jesus promised us that in John 16:33. As John Piper explained, “Suffering with Christ...is [our] calling, [our] vocation.”

     The Scriptures say in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can [men] call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Further, Ezekiel 33:8 declares, “When I [the Lord] say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” In other words, we are responsible to inform ignorant unbelievers of the truth they need.

     Jesus told us in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Never did He tell us to limit our outreach to those who welcome it. We can certainly look for hearts that are open to receive our messages, but because of the love that compels us, we often must also share God's Word with those who do not think they are lacking without it.

References

Holy Bible. New International Version.

Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad! Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2003. Pg. 78.