Our Forgotten Commission

Hey friends,

I know... it's been a little while.

Truth be told, I have been determined to only write when I feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit. I never want to write simply because it's time for another blog post or because my calendar says it's time to publish. I have learned my own thoughts, feelings, and timing are not enough. Isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. I always want these writings to be influenced and instructed by the Holy Spirit. So if it means waiting a little longer between posts, then that's exactly what I'll do.

And that is why I am writing today.

A few nights ago, I found myself doing something I have been trying so hard to stop doing... mindlessly scrolling.

I had just finished my bedtime Bible reading and prayer time. I should have gone straight to bed, but instead I picked up my phone. As soon as I opened the app, a video appeared of a woman sharing the testimony of a friend who had passed away after refusing to hear about Jesus. As I listened, the Holy Spirit began to convict my heart in a way I wasn't expecting. I immediately put my phone down because I knew God was trying to get my attention.In that moment, my mind immediately went to my family, my friends, the people I tell "I love you" before hanging up the phone, the people I celebrate with, laugh with, and pray for. Then I realized something that honestly broke me.

There are people I genuinely love who have never heard me tell them about Jesus.

Not because of shame.

Not because of doubt.

But because somewhere along the way I became so consumed with my own life that I neglected one of the greatest commissions Christ entrusted to every believer. We often think of Jesus' command to love one another, and rightly so. He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34, NIV). It is one of the defining marks of a believer. But alongside that command is another commission we cannot afford to forget: to go and make disciples by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left us with these words:

• "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19 -20, NIV)

This wasn't a suggestion. It wasn't a calling reserved for pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. It was a commission given to every believer. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that one of my greatest responsibilities as a follower of Christ is to tell people about the One who changed my life.

If I truly believe what Scripture says, that Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV), then why have I been so silent? What if someone's escape from an eternity separated from God is dependent upon me simply starting one conversation? Whether they receive it at that moment or not is not my responsibility, but beginning the conversation is.

That realization humbled me. I realized how selfish I had become with salvation. Somewhere along the way I became so consumed with my own life. My own struggles. My own dreams. My own healing. My own breakthrough. My own future. None of those things are wrong to pray about, but they became so loud that I forgot one of the responsibilities Christ gave every believer: to share the Good News.

Jesus didn't just commission us to make disciples. He also said,

• "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15, NIV)
  

It was our commission.

As I sat there reflecting, I couldn't help but think about how beautifully this commission works hand in hand with His command to love one another. If I truly love the people God has placed in my life, then how can I withhold the greatest gift I have ever received? How can I tell someone "I love you" every time I hang up the phone, yet never tell them about the only One who can save their soul?

Every time I say, "Love you!" Before hanging up, Am I really loving them in the greatest way possible, or has it simply become something I say out of habit?

Because love is more than words.

Love warns.

Love shares hope.

Love points people to Jesus.

The greatest act of love we can show someone is not simply telling them we love them. It is introducing them to the One who loved them first.

This conviction led me to another, how easy it is to point out the sins of people I love. How can I notice their drinking,  lying, unforgiveness, pride and their  lifestyle choices and not have told them about Jesus? I had become so focused on correcting the behavior that I forgot to introduce people to the only One who can truly transform a heart.

I had to ask myself another uncomfortable question.

If I even bothered to introduce them to Jesus?

Because how can I expect someone to live like Christ before they knew Christ?

Romans 10:14 asks,

• "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (NIV)
  

Sometimes we become experts at identifying darkness without ever introducing people to the Light.

The beautiful thing is that sharing our faith does not have to be complicated. We sometimes make evangelism seem like something reserved for pastors, evangelists, or people standing on a street corner with a microphone. But for most of us, it begins with an ordinary conversation.

"Jesus loves you."

"Can I pray for you?"

"Can I tell you what Jesus has done in my life?"

"Do you know what salvation is?" "Can I tell you about the greatest gift given to mankind?"

Those simple words can become the beginning of someone's eternity being changed. It reminded me that I am not responsible for changing anyone. The Holy Spirit does the convicting. The Holy Spirit does the drawing. The Holy Spirit changes hearts. My responsibility is simply to plant the seed and trust God with the rest.

In Ezekiel 33. God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman and told him that if he warned the wicked and they refused to turn from their ways, they would be responsible for their own choice. But if the watchman failed to warn them, God said He would require their blood from the watchman's hand.

That passage hits and not in a good way.

It reminded me that silence is not love.

Ignorance is not an excuse.

And while each person is responsible for how they respond to the Gospel, as believers we have been entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of sharing it. So today, before I ask you to do anything, I believe we should first repent. Not because we denied Christ, but because many of us have unintentionally kept Him to ourselves.

A Prayer of Repentance

Father,

Please forgive me for the times I have been silent when I should have spoken. Forgive me for becoming so focused on my own life that I neglected the eternal lives of the people You have placed around me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Fill me with compassion for those who do not know You and give me the courage to start conversations that point people to Jesus. Help me to remember that I am not responsible for changing hearts. I am simply called to be faithful in sharing the Good News. Use my life, my words, and my testimony for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now let me leave you with a challenge.

Not ten people.

Not your entire neighborhood.

Just one.

This upcoming week, ask God to place one person in your path. It might be a family member, a friend, a coworker, your disgruntled uncle, or even a stranger. Start one conversation about Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do. Imagine what would happen if every believer shared the Gospel with just one person this week. Before we close, if you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I would love to invite you to pray this prayer.

Prayer of Salvation

The following Prayer of Salvation is adapted with appreciation from Prayers That Work by Minister Kevin L.A. Ewing and is shared with acknowledgment of his ministry.

• Dear God, I believe that You sent Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, so that by believing in Him I can be forgiven of my sins and be redeemed because His innocent blood was shed for me. I believe that it is only through His death on the cross and resurrection that I can be made right with You. I confess Lord that I am a sinner and in need of a Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ was the sinless sacrifice that died to pay the price for my sins and I believe that He is the only person who is qualified to die for me, for He alone lived a sinless life and died as an innocent victim. Thank You for loving me enough to send Your only begotten, sinless Son to become a Man, so that He could offer Himself as the perfect Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Thank You for loving me and dying for me. Help me to live a life that honors You, in thought, word and deed. Father, I repent of all my sins and I turn away from them to Christ. I pray that You would keep me holy and set apart for You as I seek to live for You. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

Final Thought

Life is short.

Eternity is real.

Jesus is still saving.

And maybe the greatest act of love we can show someone is not simply telling them we love them, but making sure they know the One who loved them first. With Love and Prayers Ketisha

Scripture References (NIV):

John 14:6, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:13-15, Ezekiel 33:1-9

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Additional study references include Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and biblical cross references. The Prayer of Salvation is adapted with appreciation from Prayers That Work by Minister Kevin L.A. Ewing and is used with acknowledgment of his ministry.

May this article encourage you to know Christ more deeply, love Him more faithfully, and make Him known more boldly.