Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations . . . —Matthew 28:19
Jesus
Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the
supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go . . . make disciples of all the
nations . . . .” Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple
yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were
filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. 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.
Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but
from our desire to make converts to our point of view.
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 . . . . Gotherefore. . .” (Matthew
28:18-19).
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” October 27)