Steve Green - The Mission Lyrics

Album: People Need the Lord
Released: 01 Jan 1994

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Lyrics

There's a call going out
Across the land in every nation
A call to those who swear allegiance to the cross of Christ
A call to true humility, to live our live responsibly
To deepen our devotion to the cross at any price

Let us then be sober, moving only in the Spirit
As aliens and strangers in a hostile foreign land
The message we're proclaiming is repentance and forgiveness
The offer of salvation to a dying race of man

To love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our mission
The spring from which our service overflows
Across the street
Or around the world
The mission's still the same
Proclaim and live the Truth
In Jesus' name

As a candle is consumed by the passion of the flame
Spilling light unsparingly throughout a darkened room
Let us burn to know Him deeper
Then our service flaming bright
Will radiate his passions
And blaze with holy light

(To love the Lord our God
(Is the heartbeat of our mission)

Video

The Mission - Steve Green [With Lyrics]

Meaning & Inspiration

Released on January 1, 1994, as part of the album *People Need the Lord*, Steve Green’s “The Mission” stands as a profound lyrical meditation on the Christian calling, articulating with stark clarity the enduring purpose of every believer. The song is not merely a collection of verses; it serves as a powerful theological statement, echoing the timeless truths of Scripture to define the identity and mandate of Christ’s followers in a complex world. It frames our existence not as passive observers, but as active participants in a divine narrative, beckoned to a life of intentional service and devotion.

The song immediately establishes its premise with "a call going out across the land in every nation," portraying a universal summons to those who align themselves with the cross of Christ. This isn't a gentle whisper but an urgent, global declaration demanding a response. It specifies the requirements of this allegiance: "true humility," responsible living, and "deepen[ing] our devotion to the cross at any price." This aligns directly with biblical teaching that calls for self-denial and putting Christ first (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23), and the exhortation to live lives worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). Humility, as articulated in Philippians 2:3, encourages us to regard others above ourselves, a foundational aspect of Christian conduct. Responsible living, similarly, is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament, urging believers to be good stewards of their lives and gifts (1 Peter 4:10).

The second stanza solidifies the believer’s identity as "aliens and strangers in a hostile foreign land," a potent image drawn from 1 Peter 2:11, reminding us that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). In this context, the call to be "sober, moving only in the Spirit" emphasizes a spiritual vigilance and reliance on divine guidance amidst worldly pressures, a counsel found in Romans 12:3 and 1 Peter 5:8. Our proclamation is succinctly defined as "repentance and forgiveness," presenting the "offer of salvation to a dying race of man." This echoes the core message of the apostles in Acts (e.g., Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) and the Great Commission itself, which mandates the sharing of the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The lyrics powerfully underscore the urgency and eternal significance of this message for a world in spiritual need.

The repeated chorus serves as the song's unwavering anchor: "To love the Lord our God is the heartbeat of our mission, the spring from which our service overflows." This phrase encapsulates the essence of biblical discipleship, echoing Jesus’ pronouncement of the greatest commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). From this foundational love flows all genuine service, whether "across the street or around the world," the mission remains immutable: "Proclaim and live the Truth in Jesus' name." This truth is not abstract but embodies the person and work of Christ, to be both declared and demonstrated through our lives (John 14:6, James 1:22). The geographic scope emphasizes that the call to share the Gospel is both intensely local and globally expansive, requiring us to engage with our immediate communities as well as support broader outreach efforts.

The imagery of the candle in the fourth stanza offers a poignant metaphor for the believer’s dedicated life: "As a candle is consumed by the passion of the flame, spilling light unsparingly throughout a darkened room, let us burn to know Him deeper." This vivid picture speaks to a life fully given to Christ, allowing our lives to be "consumed" by a spiritual fervor. Just as a candle diminishes itself to give light, so too are believers called to pour themselves out in service, radiating God’s light into the world (Matthew 5:14-16). The desire to "know Him deeper" is a longing for intimacy with Christ, reminiscent of Paul's yearning in Philippians 3:10, recognizing that deeper knowledge fuels more passionate and effective service. When our service is "flaming bright," it "will radiate his passions and blaze with holy light," transforming our actions into a tangible display of God’s character and purpose.

“The Mission” by Steve Green, therefore, functions as both a charge and an encouragement. It reminds believers of their identity, their message, and the driving force behind their actions—a profound love for God. It challenges us to live with intentionality, humility, and an unshakeable commitment to proclaiming and embodying the Gospel. Far from being a mere song, it is a spiritual anthem, thoughtfully constructed to articulate the very heart of the Christian faith and its practical outworking, inspiring a generation to embrace their God-given purpose with unwavering devotion.