Day 9: The Method of Missions | 1.12.26

Jesus did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is His supernatural work), but He said, “ Go, make disciples of all the nations.” Yet we cannot make disciples unless we are disciples ourselves. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, “Don’t rejoice in successful service, the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me” (see Luke 10:17-20). The believer’s necessary fundamental is staying true to the call of God and realizing that his or her only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.

The challenge we face as we follow the example of Jesus does not come from the fact that people are challenging to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the following believer’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ – “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). Our Lord is resolute in asking us this question. It confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is, do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which, in reality, is God’s only call for us as following believers? If I follow any other rule, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord – “All authority has been given to Me . … Go therefore …” (Matthew 28:18-19).