JAN 12

Matthew 28:19
Memorise Matthew 28:19
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

The Reformed Faith firmly believes in the calling of the church to go out into the world to preach the gospel. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is the church’s marching order. It has nothing to do with “hyper-Calvinism” which neglects this great task of the church and does nothing to rescue perishing souls, thinking that God would save the elect anyway, whether they evangelise or not.

It is true that God will save His elect whom He had chosen from before the creation of the world. But God alone knows those who are His, and we do not. It is His Commission to us to go out into the world and witness for Him, and leave the Holy Spirit to convict those souls whom God has preordained will be saved. Thus we realise that evangelism is 100% effective, for God is the one who saves and not us!

Though missionary work was slow among the Protestant churches following the 16th century Reformation, it laid the foundation for greater work that followed. There was an insistent call to return to the teaching of the Bible, and the Bible taught the duty of every Christian to bring the gospel to all corners of the world. By applying themselves to the task of translating the whole Bible into the principal European languages, they also paved the way for the golden age of missions from the 17th to the early 19th century. As Matthew 28:19 tells us, witnessing is followed by teaching and building up believers in the faith, and leading them to be baptised.

Dear teen, have you started witnessing and inviting your school friends to church? That is the way to start. Don’t be discouraged if no one wants to listen or to come. Just be faithful in doing your duty to witness for Him. That is what God will reward. Are you hesitating because you think you are inadequate to witness? Remember, salvation is of the Lord. We are just His instruments; it is the Holy Spirit that will convict, so just simply speak for the Lord. Perhaps you fear being ostracised for witnessing? Do not be ashamed of this gospel, for it is tantamount to being ashamed of Christ!

Thought: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” - Jim Eliot, martyred while a missionary to Ecuador.

Prayer: Eternal God, our loving heavenly Father, help me to be more zealous in the things of God.