Our Instructions

 I know sometimes I have a hard time following instructions. At times I try to do things without even reading the instructions, because I think I can figure it out myself. Then other times, I read the instructions, but I can't figure out just what they are saying. However, I will say that things turn out much better when I understand the instructions and obey them fully. I believe that is why we need to hear Jesus' final instructions to His disciples. Since we are disciples, they are our instructions, too.

Jesus made it very clear that as disciples we are to make other disciples as we go through our lives. That is His command to all of us. (Matthew 28:19,20) "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." I believe Jesus made it pretty plain, don't you? Let's remind ourselves of what He instructed us to do.

We are to make disciples of all people groups in the world. We are to spread the gospel to people around us and around the world, so all peoples can come to Christ. Then, when they put their trust in Jesus, and they become disciples, we baptize them so they are making a public declaration of their faith for all to see. They show they have repented of their sins, dying to them, and by trusting Jesus they are raised in the newness of life to follow Him completely.

Then, we teach them to go and do the same thing, so that we multiply disciples in this world, not just add to our numbers. In fact, we teach them all of Jesus' commands, and we instruct them to obey all of them faithfully. That is being a disciple. A disciple follows the Lord doing what Jesus would do in every circumstance. Of course, we can't do this all by ourselves. Jesus knows that, so He is with us every step of every day to guide us and empower us to the end of our life or when He comes back to get us and take us to heaven.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 1-3.