Are you really ready to do this?? A really simple question when you break it down. This may be a question we hear the first time we ride a bike, or drive a car. But today I want to ask this question in regards to what Jesus says in Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Are you really ready to do this? Have you committed yourself fully to God's will in such a way that you can focus your undivided attention to this calling? Let's face it this is a big undertaking for us. This is a big task for a mere human. But guess what Jesus promises us He will be with us always, it is right there is verse 20. Jesus is the power by which we can do this. Look at some instruction in Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Did you catch that? So here is our six step plan to ensure that we are really ready to do this.
1. throw off everything that hinders
Remove the things in our life that stop us from obeying God's will. Work, play, excuses, whatever. Do not allow anything to get in the way of your willingness to follow God's leading. Throw them as far as you can.
2. and the sin that so easily entangles
Bingo! So many times we allow the sin in our lives to interfere with the will of God. We become so involved with the me things that we loss focus on the God things. Sin will darken a heart, sin will callous a heart, sin will break a heart. God will lighten your heart, God will free your heart, God will mend your heart.
3. run with perseverance the race marked out before us.
Any marathon runner will tell you that you must have perseverance to run a long race. You must be willing to be in it for the long haul. God never promised it would be easy, so we must take those dips in the road and continue on. Do not let a road block slow you down or veer you off course.
4. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
And here is the big key, focus on Jesus. He is our example. When we focus on Jesus we are less likely to allow sin, things around us or our own interest to become a stumbling block. Just as Peter focused on Jesus when he took that first step on the water, he allowed the things around him, the worldly things to cause him to loose focus. But catch this Jesus was there to save him even though he lost faith. Look at Matthew 14:29-30
29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
5. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men
Yes, thing about what Jesus went through. We will never go through that kind of scorn. The beating, the constant attempts to stop Him, the hate, the evil. We may think getting a door slammed in our face is hard, but remember what Jesus went through for you and me. All things that could happen to us seem small when we look at it in this light. Jesus willingly paid the price for us. We must be willing to do the same for His will.
6. so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
We must not grow weary and lose heart. We must stay focused and not let the things that happen effect our Jesus walk. I remember a story of a high school cross country runner, he was expected to win. On the last mile of the race he was more than two minutes ahead of everyone else. He had this one in the bag, a sure win. But rounding the last corner he pulled up. A sharp pain coursed through his leg. Not able to move his leg he fell and lay there in sheer agony. But guess what (I know you knew this was coming) he got up. He dragged himself to the finish line and even though he did not win as expected he did run with perseverance and finished the race. You see he did not lose heart, he did not grow weary, he continued on even though it was hard. That is what we must do, carry on, run the race, share God's saving grace with everyone we meet. We must always be prepared to give the reason for the hope we have.
Remember Jesus' promise in Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Let us seek first God's will. Always be willing, no matter how hard it may seem, to do what He wants us to do. Care more for others than yourself. Follow God in all things you do and say. Share His love and saving grace with all.
In Christ's Love,
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