The Great Commission

Anyone who has attended an evangelistic church has heard the terms “omission” and “commission.” I don’t remember how it’s been said, but one of the things that I have heard is that “omission of the great commission is a great sin. “

When I look at our history, there seems to be an issue that is as great, or even greater than the sin of “omission of the great commission,” which is the omission of His authority. As Christians, we pay close attention to Jesus when He speaks and we even understand that Jesus is LORD. Yet, we often find ourselves in the Apostle’s shoes when they argued over, “who’s the greatest” (Luke 22:24-30).

“Who’s in charge” has to be settled before we can go on a mission, do a project, or do anything. In Matthew 28:18, before Jesus commissions His disciples, He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…” If we do not continually acknowledge Him, we will not go in His power, His wisdom, and His spirit. If we are not constantly remembering or reaffirming His authority, we will consistently find ourselves in power struggles, robbing Him of His glory, and be in danger of making disciples not of Him, but of ourselves.

Moses was a pretty smart guy. He did not want any success that the LORD was not overseeing (Exodus 33:1-3). Moses told the LORD that if He was not going to lead them, to please not bother sending them. Moses added, “How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth" (Exodus 33:12-16)?

Many times we have wonderful dreams, worthy goals, and noble causes. And often our great visions begin with the Word of God and His promises. But if we do not repeatedly surrender to His authority then we will be no different than any other people. This is also why James warns us that it is a wicked thing to not acknowledge His rule (James 4:13-16).

The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalms 127:1). What a comforting thought! What this says to me is that under the LORD’S leadership, nothing is a waste of time. “Success” is guaranteed every time. The “project” may fall apart, but we have this reward: “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).