Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-Matthew 28: 18-20
We’re all familiar with the Great Commission; it’s referenced countless times in the Bible and during sermons, but does the average Christian truly heed it? How many of us seize every, or any, opportunity available to preach the gospel?
I recently heard a sermon covering Jonah, a man who instead of going where God directly told him to go in order to save a city, set his eyes on a destination five times as far away. God then created an intense storm and sent a great fish to swallow Jonah whole, and for three days Jonah prayed for forgiveness and made his pledge to serve anew. Though it may not seem apparent immediately, every single one of us has a purpose; our natural and learned talents help us claim that purpose, and utilizing all the scriptures and practices we’ve received through the Church gives that purpose back to God – glorifying Him.
Why do we not actively chase that? Why do we run?
It’s easy to blame the digital age. The constant influx of media and information has us enveloped in the internet – burying ourselves in our iPhones while walking, driving, in class and, unfortunately, in the midst of live conversations. This obsession has led to an unhealthy ineptitude and/or reluctance to communicate face-to-face. Focusing a discussion on heavy topics like sin, the Trinity, and sacrifice initiates difficult, awkward questions, especially to someone unfamiliar with Christianity.
Instead, Christians try to lead friends and strangers to Christ through their actions. Telling ourselves to be the light referenced in Matthew 5: 14-16 (“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”), thinking and hoping if we act Christ-like, others will come to us out of their own volition asking about Jesus, thinking and hoping others will assume our friendly and honest dispositions means we are Christians, and good ones at that.
Yet, to act Christ-like means to be evangelical, not just obedient to the commandments set before us in scripture.
The final part of the sermon that inspired me was to make the distinction between man’s expectation and God’s reality. If we get caught up in how our audience is going to react to the gospel, then of course we’re going to grow anxious, worrying about saying the right thing in the right way and not having all the answers. However, regardless of man’s response, God is going to be glorified because you introduced someone to Him. Make the sacrifice of being uncomfortable momentarily to do His will, and the ultimate goal will be accomplished.
