The Qualifying Mandate to Serve God
Matthew 28:18-20 - “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The book of Matthew serves as an introduction to the Lord Jesus Christ, unveiling Him as the long-awaited Messiah and the future King. The book's primary focus is on God's divine plan to establish a kingdom of righteousness, where every individual will acknowledge Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of Lords.
Moreover, the book of Matthew portrays Jesus Christ as "Immanuel," which means "God with us." Through His teachings and ministry, Jesus reveals that God is always present with us, not only spiritually but also physically. This powerful message offers hope and comfort to all believers, reminding us that we are never alone in our journey of faith. Jesus' ultimate reign for a thousand years is also anticipated, fulfilling God's eternal plan for humanity.
The passage highlights the remarkable reality that God provides an open door of opportunity for all His followers to become witnesses and gather His people from all corners of the globe, to spread the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is known as the Great Commission or the Qualifying Mandate, which involves sending out the faithful who have been saved, scripturally baptized, taught, and empowered to proclaim the message of the Kingdom with the promise of reigning and dwelling with Christ for all eternity.
The Gospel not only offers the promise of eternal life but also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, including baptism and a commitment to serving Him through training and fulfilling His works. As a Church, we have a responsibility to guide and mentor the "nation of believers" to become dedicated and faithful disciples of Christ. These are those whom God has saved and teaches them to obey God in scriptural baptism and to equip them to be used by God as a powerful witness of His grace.
The qualifying mandate mentioned in the text above aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the works of the Lord and even greater works. These works are considered as the blessed and glorious reason why Jesus Christ saved us.
It is important to ask oneself whether they have been saved and, if so, to obey the Lord's command to be baptized in water and become a part of His local body, the Empowered Church. By being willing to undergo training and equipping oneself with the necessary skills, one can effectively reach out to the Total man and all men for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear Lord, make it known to all those who claim to believe you that salvation is not only to wait for heaven but to occupy and fulfill the mandates that you have commanded us to fulfill. May we see those who are saved follow you in baptism and be trained and equipped in service to reach the Total man and all men. May we all strive together as one people to do Your Mission. In Jesus Name, Amen!