THE PRIVILEGE. 1st Timothy 2:7. Paul was a preacher (herald of the King), an apostle (with a special mission), and a teacher to those in darkness concerning God's word. He had been given a divinely appointed task to proclaim the Gospel to both Gentiles and Jews. The spread of the Gospel involves preaching that reflects God's character and aligns with the person, work, and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. He understood who he was, what he was called to do, and how to do it. It was his responsibility, like every believer's, to carry out the service he was called to. This attitude is often seen in the way we pray. A person filled with humility, grateful for God's grace, and yet with a clear vision of the work God has given him, will not hesitate to pray earnestly for divine guidance and power.
Speaking to people for God is a serious matter. Even if only a few hear, we must not take lightly the responsibility God has given us to clearly speak “the truth.” The gap between God and mankind was bridged by the Lord Jesus Christ when He “died, the just for the unjust to bring us to God.” He completed this work while He was here. God’s way of sharing this great work of grace is to call people to speak out for Him. They are to share the clear Gospel message and tell others that when they come to Him in genuine faith, He will accept them and forgive their sins.
The apostles began to act on the Lord’s commission when they were privileged to be part of that first generation. Over the years, saints were sent with a mission to bring the good news of salvation to sinners who are captives of their sins. That call came to me many years ago when I was making mistakes that were common to young people. God gave me the privilege to share what I know about His saving grace and allowed me to go with older men to regions beyond the well-traveled roads.
Now, I’m one of the elders, trying to help young men pass on God’s message to others. They need to recognize what a privilege it is to speak the truth of salvation by grace for our heavenly Father. May I never lose sight of the eternal destinies of precious people whom God loves, which are at stake whenever I preach. May all of us who are Christians, both old and young, seek to reach people for God wherever this privilege may lead us.
The Lord Jesus Christ holds universal dominion and authority as the Mediator, with His power extending to every nation on earth. He has always been God, and now, as the God-Man, He has made reconciliation between us and the Holy God possible. When He told His disciples that fact, they would have understood the importance of the commission He gave them. As Sovereign over heaven and earth, He has the right to command us to do what He wants, and He expects us to act on His words.
There are at least six strong reasons to fulfill the Great Commission and share our faith in Christ with those who are still dead in their sins. First, He commanded us to do this [Ac. 1:8]. If we love the Lord Jesus, we will obey His commandment, and in this way, our love for Christ is shown [Jn. 14:15]. People who are without Christ do not have God’s salvation and are lost [Ro. 3:10,23]. God has chosen to use redeemed sinners to tell the lost to come to Christ and be saved [Ro. 10:14-17; 1Ti.1:15]. God desires all people to be saved [Ac. 4:12; 1Ti.2:4; 2Pe.3:9]. Our own faith grows stronger when we actively testify to our faith in Christ and share it with others.
Believers are disciples in the sense that they follow Christ and learn from His word. Those who openly do what our Lord says are “disciples indeed,” or true disciples. They “go,” “make disciples,” “baptize,” and “teach.” They baptize those who publicly acknowledge they belong to Christ. Baptism testifies to others that our allegiance and loyalty are to our Lord, and that we intend to follow Him. Teaching obedience to the word of God and its meaning leads to practicing what we know to be right, even if other people might do otherwise.
“I am with you,” is very different from “I will be with you.” The presence of our Lord with us spiritually sustains us through difficulties, pressures, and open opposition. His presence and authority empower His servants to fulfill the commission He has given. His constant presence with His people guarantees that those who obey Him will enjoy the privilege of representing Him throughout our entire lives. He affirms His presence with us with His own words, “Amen;” “It shall be so!”