Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This passage of scripture outlines for us in precis form, the work God has ordained that his true followers should be actively engaged in. The command is fully backed by His omnipotent power, as are all the mandates of God, and therefore we are to engage the work, not in a doubtful or listless manner, but with the earnestness of desire and expectation that the gospel commission deserves. Many of us spend our time in speaking about those things that pertain only to this mortal life, whilst the great themes of salvation and the impending doom of nations sit idly by on the back burner of our thoughts.
Through the internet, via email, Facebook and Twitter, we should be "Text Messaging" (no pun intended, instead of wasting precious hours on the mundane and transient issues of life. The great gospel movement is no longer restricted to twelve men in leather shoes, but has rather become a global phenomenon, reaching into the deep recesses of earth's remotest regions, and breaking the shackles of sin, and setting millions of captives free from the slavery of trangression and eternal death.
One of the reasons why many Christians hide their light under a "Bushel" is because of the fear of rejection, whereby we often erroneously conclude that those we interact with, may not be open to the teachings of the scriptures. Another reason why we go into "Cease and desist" mode, is because of discouragement that our efforts to save our friends, coworkers, and family members were of no avail. We should never judge the success of God's work based only on what we can see, for it takes time for the gospel seed to germinate and take root, and very often, after the elapse of many years, those who once appeared unwilling or even antagonistic to the truth, become the most faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is exactly what took place with the apostle Paul, who after preaching the word faithfully in the city of Corinth, became discouraged when he encountered very stiff opposition to the gospel, and he would have permanently ceased his efforts, were it not for the interposition of the Lord. Let's read:
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
This experience of Paul is fraught with instruction for us who are living in this generation, where the whole current of secular thought and philosophy seems dead set against any promulgation of truth. We are not conclude, that on account of steady opposition to the truth, and even the passing of laws to the contrary, that the power of God to save to the uttermost has somehow been depleted. People are not won to the cause of Christ by argument or reasoning perse, but rather by the deep conviction of the Holy Ghost working upon their hearts to bring about change from the inside out. Let's read:
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
In our day the majority of the people are "Online", and thus the many millions can literally be accessed at our very fingertips. It is therefore incumbent upon all to whom the sacred oracles of truth have been delivered, to launch out into the deep , knowing full well that the power of the omnipotent God will attend our efforts. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will enable and encourage us by the grace of God, to fulfill the gospel commission, whenever and wherever we can. Let's read:
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
May we be found faithful to the gospel commission, for "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come". God bless!