The Daily Word of Righteousness

An Examination of Current Teaching, #36

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 28:19,20)

The Great Commission charges us to go into all the world and tell people they can be saved by grace (forgiveness).

The current concept of the Great Commission is that we are to go to every nation and save souls, teaching them that they are saved by grace (forgiveness) and therefore do not have to obey everything Christ has commanded. We tend to make converts rather than disciples.

Look carefully at the Great Commission.

Make disciples of all nations.

Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.

This is the commission.

How do we interpret these clear commands?

Save souls from every nation.

Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Build churches.

Teach the people that they do not have to keep the commands of Christ because they are saved by grace (forgiveness).

The result is we have numerous believers but few disciples.

If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (John 14:21)

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10)

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. (I Corinthians 7:19)

We know we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (I John 2:3-6)

To be continued.