Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . —Matthew 28:19
But Jesus said, in effect, “Don’t rejoice in successful service—
the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me” (see Luke 10:17-20).
The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and
realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus.
The challenge to the
missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to
salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a
barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective
of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “Do you
believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28).
Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every
individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is— do I know
my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough
in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to
trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural
position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only
call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from
the methods prescribed by our Lord— “All authority has been given to Me . . . .
Go therefore. . .” (Matthew 28:18-19).
Our life in Christ starts and ends with
Jesus. The problem we have is that we
focus on our circumstances, our sacrifice, even our service and it becomes the
driving force on our lives … But .. what we do, how we live, what we think and
say … it is all reflective of whether we are connected to the Vine. Galatians
2:20 ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.’
Do you think about that each day? Or is your
relationship a little less ‘intense’.
You accepted Jesus, but now you are living your life the best you
can. You will let Jesus know if you need
His help. I have known people who got
married who essentially lived two separate lives. They really only wanted a roommate with some
commitment, not a life-mate requiring sacrifice. It’s like Ephesians 5:25 ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,’ When I tell
some guys about that verse it is like I can see dread in their eyes as they
start running through a list of things they might have to give up if they
really did that.
That
is how it is with us and the Lord. If I really make Jesus the center of my life,
there are some radical changes that would take place and I don’t know if I want
to do that .. I like those things! Matthew 16:24-26 ‘Then
Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me. For whoever
desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses
his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’
This is a song you can make a prayer today … and
everyday …. “ Jesus, be the center, be my source, be my light,
Jesus. Jesus, be the center, be my hope, be my song, Jesus. Be the fire in
my heart, Be the wind in these sails,
Be the reason that I live Jesus. Jesus,
be my vision, be my path, be my guide Jesus. Amen and Amen.
That is my prayer for you.
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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