The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) was not a suggestion or recommendation.
It wasn't an order given specifically for ministers or people who decided to pursue Christian ministry full-time.
This was a direct, intentional, verbal command given directly from the Author of life for all who believe. But for some reason, the opposite is true here in the western hemisphere.
I recently heard a statistic that nearly 90% of people to profess to have accepted Christ and live as 'Christians', will never tell the first person about him throughout their lifetime.
Is that even Christianity? This reminds me of a scenario that I once heard many years ago... if you were arrested and accused of being a Christian, in front of a jury of your known peers, what would be the final outcome? Would you be found guilty? Would your life, your actions, your witness, your deeds and behaviors, all support the fact that you are a true Christian? Would it be a slam dunk case for conviction?
I can't speak for others, but I certainly want my own trial to be an open and closed case. I want to be convicted of living for Jesus. And here's a simple fact that should be evident, if you don't act like Jesus, talk live Jesus, love like Jesus or forgive like Jesus, and you don't share all about Jesus... you simply aren't like Jesus. Let that sink in for a moment.
Saying that you believe in Jesus does not make you a Christian any more than saying you believe you can swim makes you a fish. Identity doesn't come with an admission, it comes from a life of portrayal.
Evangelism isn't optional, and 100% it starts at home. And it starts with you. "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." Make me new. Not better or improved, but NEW! Give me eyes to view things as you see them, ears to hear... Bind my heart to yours, so that the passion that you have becomes my passions.
Let revival start with me!" This is where evangelism begins, every time. And then, it flows into your home, through your spouse and children, to your family and friends, you neighbors, your coworkers, and beyond. Ministering to others isn't about presentation as much as it is about posture. Seeing other as Christ views them begins to change perspective. Taking those first steps are always going to be the hardest. Satan controls God's people through fear, it's one of his greatest tools. But lunderstand this with confidence also... evangelism is not about success, it is about obedience. It's measured in personal willingness, not fruitfulness of others. Our job is to plant the seeds, God will handle the salvation portion.
I would encourage you to go back, read the Great Commission in Matthew 28. There's no question about whether you are being called, that order has been given- read it for yourself. The question becomes will I go and where? Start small.
Start with yourself. Renew your faith, increase your prayer life, rededicate yourself to the cause.
Never doubt your own abilities when answering the call of an all powerful God; He WILL provide. He will always exceed your expectations and surprise you with how He can use and multiply someone who is surrendered, willing to serve as commanded.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
