Sunday, October 15, 2017

October 16, 2017

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

We know this portion of Scripture as the "Great Commission" - the famous last recorded words of Jesus on earth. It is His mandate for the Church then and today. Had not the church then headed that mandate there would not be a church of today. If we, the church of today fail to honor this mandate there will not be a church of tomorrow.

Jesus was resting a lot on our obedience. In fact, He bet everything on it. God had no plan "B". The "Great Commission" could have easily become the "Great Omission" had these eleven chosen not to obey.

There is an interesting statement that Jesus made about obedience - "teaching them to obey everything I commanded". That IS obedience, obeying "everything". You can't obey "some" and be obedient. You can't obey "most" and be obedient. Partial obedience is disobedience. Obedience is not a multiple choice test! There are no part-time disciples or sometime disciples or almost disciples.

Discipleship is a decision. A choice to obey God and act on His will. Once you know what God wants you are immediately responsible to act according to His desire. To do less is disobedience and disobedience is sin. Disciples don't live in sin.

This is radical stuff! Discipleship requires bold actions resulting from a transformational change that God has produced in your heart and mind. There is a line to be crossed. There is a death to die. There is a surrender to be made.

If you view obedience as an option, you are living under the delusion of discipleship. Jesus' command is to "obey everything I have commanded". Discipleship happens at the point of obedience. How is it happening for you?