Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Jesus came and told his disciples, “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.”
What a privilege.
Jesus said, “I have been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth.”
WOW, WOW!!
Now we are commanded to the following:
1. Make disciples – I believe this happens by the way we live in front of others with the proper actions, attitude, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
What we think and how we act must be markedly different from those around us, and our thoughts and actions must glorify God.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
The attributes listed above should guide our attitudes, thoughts and actions.
2. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – this is the next step in discipleship; this is the public proclamation of a believer of Jesus Christ that He is our Lord.
Being baptized does not mean we’re saved; it is only our submitted heart and faith in the Lord that provides our salvation, and the baptism is the public proclamation of our faith and submission to Jesus Christ.
This says to the world, I’m in the family of God.
3. Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands – it doesn’t say force them, make them feel guilty about not living the commands, or mentally manipulate them to obey but teach them.
The best and most effective way to teach anyone anything is by our example.
Our example will be the most influential way to teach someone to obey the commands.
The fastest way to turn someone away from the commands is to teach that way of living but not living it in our own lives.
We can not give to others what we do not have ourselves.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the privilege to represent the name of Jesus Christ.
Please keep me sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the courage, confidence, and willingness to follow these commands in my own life so that my life mirrors the image of Jesus Christ in every way.
Please reveal any sin that I may be trying to hide from You, helping me understand that any sin that I try to hide from You only separates me from You and tarnishes my witness to those around me.
I thank You for Jesus Christ and the example that He provided to follow. Please help me to glorify the name of Jesus Christ for His glory, Amen!! 🙏❤️
