Disciples!

Disciples!

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,

Matthew 28:19 NIV

The Inspiration:

The words of today's verse were spoken by Jesus just before He ascended into heaven. He had finished his earthly assignment, and was going to prepare a place for us to come and reign with Him at the end of our earthly sojourn. His life has become our own life, and all who accept Him as Lord and Saviour have been given the awesome responsibility to represent and speak of Him to others. It is the last assignment given by Jesus to specific people, who had followed him for three and a half years. It means then that if I am not first a disciple, I cannot make disciples of anyone else. What would I give, if I don't have what is required? This is not an assignment that mere words can help you accomplish; only the backing and empowerment of the One who sends out can help us accomplish what God commands. This is not an assignment that education, enlightenment or earnings matter, but simply the power of the Holy Spirit. He is all that counts.

The Contention:

The assignment is targeted at all nations, and no matter how bad things get, I must depend on the One who has commissioned the assignment to provide the right guidance and help required. After all, there is nothing I can do by myself or in my own understanding. The message that I have been given to say is not mine, but it is about Christ. The platform on which the message is to be proclaimed, which is the earth itself, also belongs to God. The audience that the Lord wants me to reach out to with the Message are also all created by God. Even the vessel God wants to use: you and I, also belong to God. All these mean that outside of God, there is nothing I could have done to impact the message, the platform, the audience or the vessel. I can only place myself in the position where God can find me as a ready and available vessel, usable for the Master and prepared for the good work God intends to do in the earth. Am I available? 

The Conclusion:

The making of disciples is a time-consuming exercise, and is not something to be rushed or messed up. Disciples spend time with the master to perfect their craft, and the nature of this assignment is one that you never really graduate from. You keep at it until the Lord calls you home. You don't stop, and you don't rest. When the audience receives the message through any platform God decides to use, they are baptised in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. All three are perfect in unity: the same God manifesting to man in different dispensations, but with the same grace of salvation. All three are present to give life to all who ask, and they work in and walk with all who surrender their lives to Jesus. With all these benefits, I am encouraged to reach out and seek to touch lives. God is waiting for all who will surrender to be used by Him. There will be no regrets for all who surrender. Heaven is the reward for faithful service. Am I looking forward to it? Would I work for it, in line with the will of the Master Himself? God's time of favour is here.