Today, many churches teach that EVERY believer is commanded to go out and make disciples. But is that REALLY what Jesus taught?
In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus gave the Great Commission directly to His eleven chosen apostles, instructing them to go and make disciples of all nations.
But does that mean EVERY believer entering the Kingdom of God has been given the same ministry gift and assignment?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
God gives different gifts, callings, and responsibilities to different members of the Body of Christ!
Now, does that mean we shouldn't share the Gospel or encourage others to follow Jesus? Of course not!
But sharing our faith and being specifically called, chosen, trained, prepared and anointed to make disciples is not for every beleiver in the Kingdom of God!
1 Corinthians 12:29 asks:
"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?"
The answer is clearly NO!
So why is the so-called 'great commission' being commanded of every beleiver, almost every Sunday in church buildings across America and the world?
JESUS CALLED US TO BEAR FRUIT!
Jesus said in John 15:5
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.Our walk with Jesus is not measured by how many people we preach to, how many Bible studies we conduct, or how busy we are with religious activities!
It's about ABIDING IN CHRIST, OBEYING HIS WORD, BEARING FRUIT AND OVERCOMING!
In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul identifies the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL!These are the characteristics and fruits that should be developing in the lives of every believer who walks in the Spirit!
JESUS CALLED US TO OVERCOME!
Jesus said in John 16:33
"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy! But through His Spirit, we can overcome the temptations of this world, persecutions, the desires of our flesh, and the devil!
1st John 2:13
"I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.So don't measure your spiritual maturity by how much religious work you're doing!
Instead, let's examine the FRUIT of our lives!
Are we growing in LOVE? Are we becoming more PATIENT? Are we exercising SELF-CONTROL? Are we truly OBEYING and FOLLOWING JESUS?
Remember, it's not about how busy we are doing things for God.
It's about whether we truly KNOW HIM, OBEY HIM, and BEAR FRUIT that glorifies the Father in Heaven
WALK IN THE SPIRIT! BEAR FRUIT! AND OVERCOME!
In Christ,
Tyrone