Are you following Jesus? #17

Do we understand these commands from Jesus? "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men?" and "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ?



Think hard on this for a moment. As a result from becoming a follower of Jesus the disciples went after others to give them the good news of Jesus and then discipled them. Are you doing the same thing? This was the central part of the lives the followers of Jesus and it was very costly to them even to the point of death.



It seems so called followers today have taken any personal responsibility of following Christ out of the equation. Most professing Christians would NOT say their purpose is to make disciples of all nations. This is clearly a wrong view according to the bible! Most would say that is the preachers job but look at what the bible says:





Ephesians 4:11-12

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,



The pastors job is to equip the saints (fellow believers) for the work of the ministry! Not to sit in a pew seat and do nothing but work as Christ has directed followers to share gospel and disciple others. This is plain and simple.



So why is a big majority of the church ignoring these commands from Jesus? Could it possible be many are not saved and have not surrendered their lives to Jesus? Could it be that's why Jesus says "the gate is narrow and their are few who find it?". Could it be that is why Jesus said on Judgement day many will say " Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’



It is past time for followers of Christ to do what Jesus has called them to do. Those who falsely claim to be followers have a spectator mentality, no true follower should have to prodded or begged to do what Jesus has told us to do. True followers know what Jesus wants us to do and joyfully press towards the goals Jesus has laid out before us.



So what about it my friend? Are you a pew filler, spectator? Or are you on the front lines with your Lord and Savior bringing the good news to the lost and discipling new believers?



It is clear what we are supposed to be doing!



Tom