In (Matthew 28:19-20) we read the following: “Therefore go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” And in (Mark 16:15) we read: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” These two portions of Scripture are commonly referred to as the Great Commission.
Since this is a command of Jesus we call it the Great Commission and not the Great Suggestion. Hudson Taylor, the great Christian missionary to China, said it well: “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”1
As believers in Christ, we are charged by Jesus to share the gospel with all creation and to make disciples by then teaching them the things of the Bible. This is a glorious command that is given not just to pastors, evangelists, and missionaries but to all Christians. As ambassadors for Christ we are called to share the gospel with our words and to live our lives by imitating and reflecting who Jesus is to a world of lost sinners.
Notice we are called to share the gospel and be faithful stewards of the precious gift of salvation. Actual salvation of souls is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit who draws individuals to Jesus by convicting them of sin, and opening their blind eyes and hardened hearts. Our role in this great conversion process is to share the good news and fervently pray for the salvation of those we are ministering to. So often we don’t see results and blame the hardness of the hearts of those we are sharing with that we get discouraged. But may I submit to you that sharing is not enough. We need to earnestly pray for a supernatural awakening of those who are literally dead in their sins and trespasses, and that the Holy Spirit would convict them of their rebellion against God. In my opinion, sharing and praying are both critical elements in the Great Commission.
If we want to see more people get saved and then grow in Christ as His disciples, then may I challenge you to harken to the insightful words of Hudson Taylor who once said: “Perhaps if there were more of that intense distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the hardness of our own hearts and our feeble apprehension of the solemn reality of eternal things may be the true cause of our want of success.”2
After reading this quote by Taylor, it only reinforces my resolve to share the gospel more and spend even more time in secret prayer – for the eternal destiny of souls are at stake!