Instruments of reconciliation
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
From the text, the Lord Jesus Christ provided those who claim to be His followers a concise statement as to what they should do as they live their lives for His glory. The Lord commanded them to “go and make disciples.” If you are not willing to submit to God’s command, you have to ask for His permission to stay. When one is transformed because of the life that God gave, proof of this change is the willingness to submit to God’s command. You yourself have become Christ’s disciple as soon as you surrendered your life to Him. You relinquish control of your life to His lordship and are now bounded by His authority. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). You might struggle to be fully obedient to His will but He will not allow you to completely deviate from what He had set for your life. And when He does this, you as His child will use circumstances in your life so He could bring you back to Himself. “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?...God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Hebrews 12:7, 10-11). Do not assume that God will not use you for His work in spreading His Kingdom in this world. You were reconciled with Him now He wants you to share the message of salvation to others so that they too could be reconciled with Him. This is now who you are in Christ. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). God will lead you to go to a family member, or the person you are working with, or to a neighbor, or the one who lives across the street, or He could send you to the other side of the world; all for the purpose of making disciples. As you go obeying Him, you can be sure to experience His promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” So wherever He leads you, prepare to obey, be willing to go, and trust His presence.
Blessings,
