The Great Commission
What has God called you to? Do you want to talk about it?
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation’” (Mark 16:15 NLT).
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
These words are called “The Great Commission.” They’re a commandment from God. These were some of the last words Jesus spoke on earth before He returned to His Father in Heaven. Do these words ever give you a feeling of inadequacy? Do you ever say, “I’m not a preacher,” or “I can’t get up in front of people and speak”?
Let me tell you about Mrs. Smiley. She had rented a room to a young man named Silverio Diaz. He was going through a rough patch in his life. His wife had just left him and he felt very much alone. He knocked on Mrs. Smiley’s door just to chat. She offered him a cup of coffee and a listening ear. She then introduced him to her friend, Jesus. He gave his life to the Lord at that time and was baptized a week later.
He went back home and lead his mother to the Lord just weeks before she died. My father, a young missionary, joined him in the Philippines a few years later. The district of churches they started together in the 1950’s now numbers over 150 congregations. It makes me wonder what would have happened if Mrs. Smiley had not been there for the Silverio Diaz in his time of need.
God most likely will not call you to a life of overseas missions. He does call you, however, to be His hands and feet wherever you are. I know that when my time on earth is done, I want to hear Jesus say these words to me:
Well done, good and faithful servant, you taught your children to love me.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you fed the hungry.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you clothed the naked.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you loved the unlovable.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you shared Christ with someone who needed Him.
Well done, good and faithful servant, you saw a need and you acted on it.
Father God, Help me to live a life that reflects Jesus’ love. May I remember I am actually offering Christ to a lost and dying world. That doesn’t seem so scary after all. Thank you for the privilege of representing You. Amen.
Questions: What has God called you to? Are you serving Him?
About the Author Debbie Belt
Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, The Great Commission, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: commandment, Debbie Belt, faithful servant, good news, Great Commission, heaven, hungry, inadequacy, Jesus, preach, preacher, Silverio Diaz, unlovable
4 Responses to “The Great Commission”
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Thank you, Debbie, for this wonderful reminder of our calling as Christians! Though evangelism may not be a “spiritual gift” of ours, we are all equipped as Christians to lead others to Jesus! Our pastor has called it “all I know evangelism” and it is based on the story of the blind man in John 9:1-25. Each of us has a testimony of God’s revelation to us and His redeeming work in our lives! God does not save us, then leave us unchanged. No one who has truly encountered Jesus is left the same! This testimony, or sharing of how God has ‘opened our eyes’ to the truth of Himself and ourselves is our witness to His magnificent grace. We don’t need to be eloquent orators or studied theologians to give an account of God’s handiwork in our lives! Nothing is more convicting than a changed life!
Thank You, Father, for Your Holy Spirit, Who changes us, then empowers us to be bold witnesses of Your healing touch! We praise You for Your love that inspired it all! Give us courage, we pray, to share how You have transformed our lives and ‘renewed our minds!’ May our testimonies lead others to the cross, most loving Father! In Jesus’ precious, most holy Name, Amen!
Wow,Marilyn! 4:30 a.m. You are an early riser. Just think of how different the world would be if our lives reflected our gratitude for what God has done for us. Telling others about Christ is very important, but our actions need to get their attention first.
Hi Debbie! Actually, I did not write my comment at 4:30a, that’s just the time that it posted on your blog. I’m in Michigan, and I wrote it Sunday morning, around 7am or so. And yes, our witness includes our actions, for they are empty words otherwise. And, if they don’t “see” Jesus in us, they won’t stop to hear about Him!
thank you so much for this reminder