“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20 NLT)
There are no “super Christians” in the family of God. There are only those who obey and those who disobey God. The Great Commission (see above) are not words to Pastors and leaders of the Christian Faith alone, they are to me and you, if you’re a follower of Jesus. And the weight and responsibility of that command doesn’t expire until we do.
As long as we have breath, we have responsibility to reach and teach people about Jesus. Our churches are filled with people who see themselves as spiritual minnows called to catch whales, but we take courage because we believe our Pastors, leaders, and the ministries of our churches are doing the job!
Here’s the deal – no one can do the job that you or I are leaving undone! NOONE! There are lost loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, friends, acquaintances…and on and on it goes! People who won’t be reached for Christ if we don’t reach them. Infant believers who won’t grow unless we take them under our wing and teach them what it looks like for a person of God to act and live like a person of God.
R. C. Sproul wrote: “Christ has commissioned us to be light and salt in this world. We have no option but to obey.” We try to treat Jesus’ compelling words as if they were written for someone else, but they weren’t. If we profess faith in Jesus these are His words to me and you. Hudson Taylor reinforces Sproul’s words when he wrote: “The great commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
And I can hear the hearts of many saying: “But I’m not ready! I don’t know enough! I’m not well enough equipped to take on an assignment like that!” And here’s God’s answer: “Then get ready! I’ve given you everything you need to be everything I designed and equipped you to be. I’ve given you My Word and My Church and a mind and heart that when submitted to Me will be all you’ll need to be and do everything I’m calling you to be and do. TRUST ME!”
A. W. Tozer wrote: “Every man is as close to God as he wants to be.” In other words, we’re as well equipped to win and serve others as we want to be. But here’s the irony, you’ve already got everything you need to get started in moving in the right direction.
If you’ll get on your knees before the Lord and hold your hands out in front of you, palms up. And tell the Lord in your own words, some version of: “Lord, this is my life. Take it, use it, it’s Yours. Do in me, through me, on my behalf everything I need You to do so that I can be everything You’ve called me to be. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to put my ‘yes’ on the table. “Yes” to whatever You want. I’ll go wherever you want me to go and do whatever You desire me to do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!”
When you mean it, He’ll do it!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 