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Talking on the issue of “Truth” recently, a lecturer said a newly appointed superior court judge shared the story of how she was passed over the first time when nominated to that position, during a thanksgiving service. Narrating the story, the judge said she went through the entire process and was sure she was qualified, but was not chosen! Her investigations later showed that someone labeled her as being “too principled!” Her principles disqualified her!

The lecturer went on to say,

“When you speak the truth, 
you make enemies!

He added,

“You cannot live out the truth 
in Gospel and not attract hatred. 
Jesus was hated, and was going 
to be killed anyway; because He 
spoke the truth! Judas Iscariot was 
just unfortunate to carry the burden 
of His betrayal!”

Jesus Himself told His disciples:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

Jesus knows what exactly we come up against when He calls us to become His disciples and He made sure we don’t go unprepared.

READ Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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 that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV)

In the past two days, we dealt with the issues of “Who Are The Called” and “What Is The Call”; and concluded that all believers are called, and the call is to make disciples for Jesus the Christ.

Examining the text above, Jesus first declared His authority, and its realm (vv. 18).

This is how the Matthew Henry commentary puts it:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth; a very great word, and which none but he could say. Hereby he asserts his universal dominion as Mediator, which is the great foundation of the Christian religion. He has all power. Observe, (1.) Whence he hath this power. He did not assume it, or usurp it, but it was given him, he was legally entitled to it, and invested in it, by a grant from him who is the Fountain of all being, and consequently of all power. God set him King (Ps. 2:6 ), inaugurated and enthroned him, Lu. 1:32 . As God, equal with the Father, all power was originally and essentially his; but as Mediator, as God-man, all power was given him; partly in recompense of his work (because he humbled himself, therefore God thus exalted him ), and partly in pursuance of his design; he had this power given him over all flesh, that he might give eternal life to as many as were given him (Jn. 17:2 ), for the more effectual carrying on and completing our salvation.”

Jesus has been given the power and authority as the Mediator between God and man, subsequent to His sacrificial death on the cross! No one else makes that claim! This is what sets Christianity apart – That Christ died for our sins, and through that acquired the right to mediate between sinful man, and the Holy God! As God, he had that power, but as God incarnate, he needed that power; just like He needed to be raised from the dead (Acts 13:30).

The realm of the power was both in heaven, and on earth: effectively everywhere, and transcendental in nature! That is why He could say, “Make disciples of all nations!”

And He said, “Go!” That is urgent. That is immediate. That is now!

Often, I hear people say “I will dedicate my retirement to doing God’s work,” or “I will do God’s work when I get this or that,” or “I will do God’s work when I get to age ….” This is mostly grounded in the misconception that you have to become a full time minister, or pastor; to do God’s work. In Acts 18:1-4, we are told:

“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, …and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tent-makers. Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks.”

Paul was of the trade of tent-making; and he practiced it, but still shared God’s word in the synagogues! Look at the impact he had! The call is urgent. The call is immediate. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

And Jesus said,

“And remember, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”(vv. 20)

This reminder to “remember” is to let them always have Christ in sight; to strengthen their faith every second! Take note of the favor promised them; I am with you. Not, I will be with you, but I am — The same thing God told Moses when He was sending him to Egypt (Exodus 3:14). The way God sent Moses, so Christ sent his disciples, by this name, I am. He is God, to whom belongs the past, the present, and the future.

He promised his presence; to carry them on through the difficulties they were likely to meet, to bear them up, to plead their cause; with them in sharing the gospel, in all their sufferings, through the fire or water, in the pulpit, and in the prison; to make the ministry effective for the discipling of the nations, for the pulling down of the strong holds of Satan, and the setting up of God’s kingdom through the Lord Jesus.’

These same resources are available to any of us who lifts up the cross today, to do the work of God.  

It is the noblest work you can ever do, if you do it out of love for God.

MEMORY VERSE

“And remember, I am with you
always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20)

QUESTIONS

• Have you deferred, or been afraid to step out and do God’s work?
• Do you know that the call is urgent, and the whole of heaven is behind you?

PRAYER TIP

Father, please open our eyes to see what You have in store if only we will step out and do Your work.

URGENT CALL

By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!

But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.

The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved. 

Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.

It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.

If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!

Do you want to make that decision today?

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” 
for guidance if you want to 
make that decision.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.

God richly bless you.

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.

God richly bless you.

The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:

https://testimonydevotional.org/

https://testimonydevotional.com/

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