by Steven Chan
The above title represents the marching order of our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples at that time and it was passed down to all disciples of Christ (2 Tim 2:2). He speaks to us today as well that we are to “go and make disciples of all nations”. The reason for His instruction is because “all authority or power” has been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18) when he was raised from dead, having overcome death and thereby bringing hope to all men – that we all will also be raised from the dead.
So we read in Acts 5:42: “And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.” Even persecution did not stop them from preaching the gospel of Christ: Acts 8:1, 4: “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles… They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word.”
Jesus Himself came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). As disciples of Christ we walk in His steps (I Pet 2:21). So, to the apostle Paul: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” (I Cor 9:16). Paul’s life was driven by this mission to win souls: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.”(I Cor 10:31-33). He lived his life, pleasing all men, so that many may be saved.
Is the motivation of winning souls the primary aim of our lives today?
