God has
commissioned us, His children, to preach the gospel to the entire world.
However, He does not expect us to figure out how to do it ourselves. He has
given us the tools and resources we need (the Holy Spirit, talents, gifts, the
Bible, each other), including opportunities and the assurance of His very
presence, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”
(Matthew 28:20). This charge has become known as the Great
Commission.
Here is
God’s primary design for accomplishing the Great Commission: some plant the
seed, others water it, God makes it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6, 9), others bring
in the harvest, and we all rejoice together, including God Himself “So that the
Sower and the reaper may be glad together” (John 4:36-38). “There will be more
rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). “There is
rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”
(Luke 15:10).
For us to
accomplish the Great Commission, God has sent us out in different capacities.
He has sent us out:
∙ As His representatives, to share our faith
through Word and deed with friends, family, and all those He places in our
path.
∙ As missionaries and preachers who sow,
water, and reap the harvest after God has given the increase.
∙ On other occasions, our roles alternate
from time to time, based on the opportunities He gives us, which makes each one
of us the person who sows in one instance, the person who waters in the next,
or the person who reaps in another. So, we might not all be at the same place
at the same time, doing the same thing, but God is coordinating our efforts and
making it all work out in a way that gets the job done; it is a joint
venture.
This is the
framework of the Great Commission; God saves us and commissions us to different
tasks: we go and spread the Word, water it, God gives the increase, and we reap
the harvest. We pray, encourage, support financially, and cheer each other on. The
endpoint will be when we will all celebrate together; we each will have cause
to celebrate because our obedience and efforts (giving, praying, sowing,
watering, and reaping) will have paid off! Mission accomplished! Last but not
least, there will be the awards ceremony in heaven, during which, with the
angels cheering, God the Father will say to each one of us, “Well done, good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over
much” (Matthew 25:21).
Dear friend,
which part are you playing in this endeavor? How diligent have you been?
Remember, it is not our responsibility to make the seed grow; that’s God’s job.
We only need to sow the seed, water it, and reap the harvest when it is ready.
We don’t have to be eloquent or say a lot. All Andrew did was to find Peter,
his brother, and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.’ And brought him to
Jesus (John 1:41b-42). Likewise, Phillip found Nathanael and told him, “We have
found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus
of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph” (John 1:45).
So, don’t be
afraid; go ahead and invite someone to Church or to a Bible study; he or she
might come, and coming, might pay attention enough to hear God’s voice. How
about praying and financially supporting the Great Commission? You can do it;
it is rewarding. Try it!
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