And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
The whole is a sum of its parts. Jesus commands us in His great commission to take the good news of restoration in Him to the whole world. God’s restoration plan goes beyond nationality, gender, culture, religion, and political persuasion. His desires have always been to bring mankind as a whole back to the original design and fellowship with Him (Mk 16.15, Lk 24.46-47, Jn 17.18-21, Ac 1.8, 2 Pet 3.9).
His objective to restore men is implemented by entrusting the ones being restored with the great privilege to participate in another’s restoration. He gives ordinary men and women with the frailties of a fallen state, but with the power of His Holy Spirit, the mission to make disciples (ones being conformed to Christ’s image). When we reflect on how unfathomable that act of kindness is, to labor with God in His rescue mission, we should be overwhelmed with gratefulness and moved to action (1 Jn 3.1).
God could have chosen other methods, which to us may have seemed more efficient. Instead, He chooses to allow our natural relationships to be the vehicle on which the gospel is carried. As one person is being restored to the original image of God, he begins to help another do the same. And as they both help others the multiplication process begins. But it is important to remember it is not enough to simply change one’s behavior or practice religion. Restoring the image to its true original state can only be accomplished in and through Jesus Christ (Jn 14.6). Anything less becomes a blasphemous pyramid scheme.
His goal is to restore mankind one person at a time. His plan is to accomplish this through us. This is the great Kingdom work. Laboring with the Father in His vineyard, harvesting the fruit of eternal life (Jn 4.35-36, Mt 9.35-38). Jesus’ great commission is about reaching the world by restoring one man at a time through those who are being restored.
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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved
© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved
