Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 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.
This passage of scripture contains the great commission given to us by Christ, and it is to be fulfilled in the life of every true believer, from the well educated to the common laborer, for none of us are excused. Furthermore, Jesus' promise to be with us till the end of the age is given in the context of fulfilling what He has given us to do. Not all Christians understand the weight of responsibility devolving upon our shoulders, and for this reason many of us are now caught up with the cares of this world, and are consumed with working for our daily bread. But the mandate to preach and teach the gospel should be of paramount importance to us, and our list of priorities should be regulated by the focused and well-directed efforts to save as many as would be saved. Anything short of this is the equivalent on evangelizing in our spare time, and as such will be subject to circumstances, feelings and corporate outreach.
When we speak of proper prioritizing, as it pertains to fulfilling the gospel commission, we are speaking of a willingness to let the other important aspects of our lives take a backseat, if there is an opportunity to do some soul-saving work. For instance, if we are on our way to work, and someone is found to be in need of God's grace, then we should be willing to spend a few moments communing with that individual, trusting God to take up the slack and to restrain the boss if we were to reach late as a result. One day while Jesus was travelling with His disciples, he stopped by a well to rest, so that the disciples could go buy some food, for they were hungry. Whilst they were gone a woman of Samaria came to draw water, and Christ, realizing the golden opportunity for soul-saving, immediately struck up a conversation with her, introducing her to the riches of His grace.
This being done, the woman then left her water pot and went back to the city where she dwelt, and invited the entire town to hear the words of life as coming from Christ Himself. Jesus was so energized by the prospect of many souls being saved, that He forgot about His necessary food, because the joy that salvation brings, is capable of overriding hunger, tiredness, and delay, and when it is made our top priority, God is then able to work mightily through us, in bringing many sons and daughters into the fold. Let's read:
John 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria" ..... 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water" .... 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
It would be well if the mindset of Christ could be found in us, for then the work of the gospel could be finished in all the world, and Jesus could come to receive His own. Whether on the job, at the playground, at school, or at the grocery, let us therefore be heavenly minded, always looking for ways and means whereby the gospel of the kingdom can be taken into our neighborhoods, or introduced to those with whom we come in contact. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to step up to the plate, by doing our part in our corner of the vineyard, so that when Christ comes, he could receive a bumper harvest of souls for the kingdom of God. Let's read:
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!