What are we to be doing? If we have truly been born again is it enough that we are saved? Are we to just sit back and wait for God to take us on to Heaven? No! God left us in this world for two reasons. One of those is so that we can grow in His image. By learning the truth in His word and applying it to our life we grow. And we are growing to perfection. We aren't perfect yet. Actually we will never be in this body. But we are to be growing in that direction. Hebrews 6:1 says "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God," Also see 1 Peter 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" And 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." The first reason God doesn't immediately take us away when we are saved is that we are to spend time "growing" in Him by studying His word and living it.
The second reason, and a very important reason, is that we are to be reproducing in the Spiritual sense. We are to be spreading the Gospel. Sharing our faith. Bearing fruit. John 15:2,8 says "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." One way we bear fruit is by the spiritual growth that is seen in our life. But another important way we bear fruit is by leading others to Christ. Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Understand that this growth as well as leading others to Christ or "converting sinners" or being "soul winners" is not something we can do ourselves by our own will and intellect. It is only done by the Holy Spirit and it is evidence of the Spirit at work in us. I just want it to be understood that I am not preaching the works of man here. This has to be the work of the Spirit. Otherwise it is vanity.
The reason I am trying to make this point clear is that there are many Christians who seem to think this is someone else's job. Christ made it clear. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." We call it "the great commission". This teaching is repeated and reinforced in Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." and John 20:21 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." There are also a number of passages in the epistles that encourage this kind of discipleship.
But there are two things I think we need to address concerning the great commission. The first is the word "preach" seen in Luke and often substituted for the word teach in the passage in Matthew. Many people see this and they immediately think of a "Pastor". They will say "Women can't do that." Wait! This doesn't say anything about a "Pastor" (Bishop) or about having authority over anyone. This is the job of every disciple of Christ regardless of gender or age. I am not talking about teaching, preaching, or pasturing from the pulpit. There are people around you that you can "preach" the Gospel to. There may be people at home, neighbors, at the store, wherever you are or go there is someone who could use the Gospel. You don't have to "preach" to preach. You can give someone a tract. You can relate scriptures into a conversation. One good method that has been practiced for over a thousand years is to get people to ask you questions. Raise their curiosity. Then all you have to do is give honest, scripturally sound answers. The point is that this sharing of the faith is for every child of God. Not just Pastors.
The second point I must make is that sharing the Gospel and following the great commission is still everyone's job. This was not a commandment that died out with the apostles. "Oh. But He was talking directly to His disciples." That is the devil trying to keep you quiet. Don't listen to him. It is a common theme throughout the New Testament that we are to be His witnesses. We are to spread the good word that Christ is the only way to eternal life. 2 Corinthians 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:" I can't get over this modernized gospel that says things like spreading the Gospel was just for that small group of people and limited to that short period of time. Now God will draw to Himself the people He wants to save. That is heresy. And another heresy floating around is this new doctrine that we can't suggest a sinner need repent. Because they can't repent until after they are saved. That's pig slop that is! Christ said in Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Repent and Believe! Beware of extreme dispensationalism!
These are frightening times we live in when I listen to some of the things coming out of pulpits in America today. Our grandparents knew better. Why would we need to change the Gospel to "fit our times"? Christ doesn't change! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." And His Gospel doesn't need to change! Remember those good old hymns we used to sing? "I love to tell the story…" If we love Christ wouldn't we want to tell His story? Wouldn't we, having been "lost but now I'm found", having seen the light shining through the darkness, wouldn't we want to "Go tell it on the mountain"? We shouldn't actually see this as a "duty" or a "responsibility". We should see it as a privilege. We should be thankful that we are able to tell the story. Then we will want to take it "Around the corner, around the world" and "Bring them in from the fields of sin"
I hope this blesses and encourages you. I hope it inspires you.
Peace and blessings.
Shannon
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