Stan and I were again having and enjoying breakfast together one morning when he mentioned he had been talking with a neighbor about what’s commonly called the “great commission.” I asked him a question about what he and his neighbor were talking about by saying, “You mean the part where Jesus said to go and preach the gospel?”
“That’s it,” Stan replied, “as well as what He said about making disciples.”
“Does your neighbor do that?”
“He does now.”
“Now? You mean he didn’t, but now he does?”
“Exactly,” Stan said. “He said one day while he was focusing on the idea of actually going and doing what Jesus said, he realized he was acting like he wasn’t reading Jesus’ command properly.”
“How so?”
“By not going anywhere to tell anyone anything,” Stan replied with a smile, “he realized that for him it was the great omission, not the great commission!”
“The great omission?”
“Yeah,” Stan said, “he omitted to have the great commission as an essential part of his Christian walk!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t go anywhere to tell anyone anything about you and your provision for them. Please forgive that foolish disregard of what Jesus said to do. Help me follow every step of your lead so I do go into the world to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you responded to the truth of the gospel and have life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from Him both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going and presenting the truth of the gospel and making disciples? If you since the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need so your Christian life is not the “great omission,” but includes going, telling, and making? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?