In Radical David Platt interprets the three phases of the Great Commission in his own way. Although the end in mind is definitely that of making disciples, as he shows, the three participles -- going, baptizing, and teaching -- are the means by which multiplied numbers of peoples come to enjoy God's grace and to extend His glory.
Take "going" for instance. Platt writes: Disciple making is not a call for others to come to us to hear the gospel, but a command for us to go to others to share the gospel. ... Disciple making is not about a program or an event but about a relationship. As we share the gospel, we impart life, and this is the essence of making disciples. Sharing the life of Christ.
In my seminary days, I heard my evangelism professor make the same point: "Jesus never commanded the lost to come and hear; He commanded His disciples to go and tell." When Jesus said "go," it implied arriving in the presence of another. There was no electronic communication in that day. There was no virtual reality. Personal presence led to personal relationship, and through that relationship the love and life of Christ would flow.
I believe it was Ralph Neighbour, Jr., who said, "It is hard for a man to believe that you want to share eternity with him in heaven when you won't share a meal with him in his home." As believers, we must take the gospel to the lost in their space, even if they are at the ends of the earth.
Jesus left heaven to come to us. Let's pray that we will leave our homes to take the gospel to the nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment