The Great Commission
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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 28:16-20
Until I stepped foot in Vietnam, I had no idea what a closed country was. I had never before been in a place where I could
get kicked out it for talking about Jesus. Yet… this month, here in Vietnam, we've been called to share the Gospel. In fact, this is the first place on the Race where evangelism has been my primary mission for the month.
I know that having a largely evangelism-based mission in a country that specifically bans Christian ministry seems quite paradoxical… but instead the apparent contradiction and challenge is actually driving me closer to God’s will for my life.
Earlier this year, I heard it said that the Great Commandment (to love God and love people) precedes the Great Commission. But what I'm learning this month is that they are actually one in the same (at the very least, they are "same same but different" ;). Because after all, isn’t the Gospel all about love? Doesn't Jesus win the prize for the greatest love story of all time?
The Bible says that what people desire most is unfailing love (Proverbs 19:22). And we – as Christians – are called to love – not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). And given that communication is largely body language versus words, then the act of love truly is the best way – perhaps the only way – to bring the Gospel to people.
And by that, evangelism is really more about a physical, spiritual posture of love than it is about words. Whether through a smile, a hug, or simply by making eye contact with someone who desperately hungers to be seen. And after traveling all throughout the world, I can say with confidence that there are so many desperate people in the world. Desperate for the Gospel. Desperate for love.
From this perspective, evangelism… and discipleship… are going about your day – as the Spirit leads you – intentionally loving the people you encounter along the way. God's love personified and exemplified through us. After all, "the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6).
But the best part of "evangelism" is that in order for us to love well… in order for us to embody the Gospel, we must first abide in God. We must first abide in His word (John 8:31), and that is something that I’m learning to truly do this month. While I could spend most of my hours doing busy work, meeting up with people – my team, Vietnamese friends, squad mates, our ministry contacts – I will never be as effective in evangelizing and discipling – in loving – without first spending time with God. We are called to hide His word in our hearts (Proverbs 119:11). To bind truth on our hearts (Proverbs 6:20-21). To write His commands on the tablet of our hearts (Proverbs 7:1-3). Because the effect of doing such is this…
“His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9
When you abide in the word of God, there's no way you can keep from "evangelizing" and discipling. Because His word sanctifies us (John 17:17). It transforms us, giving us a posture of love that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus! His word – hidden in my heart – is like a fire shut up in my bones… so brilliant, so beautiful, so pure… that I cannot keep from sharing it with everyone I encounter.
And with these sealed lips… I “evangelize”. Through these sealed lips… I LOVE.
