Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The mission of the church is simple – to make disciples. That term disciple is better understood as one who seeks to learn and to become like the master. Thus, churches must strive to have people continually growing in knowledge of and conformity to Christ.
There are two ways in which this mission is achieved, as captured in our text. One is by bringing people to the family of God through evangelism, as portrayed by baptism. Secondly, it is through teaching those who now belong to become. But notice that we are not merely to teach them knowledge. Rather, we are to teach them to obey what Christ has commanded. In other words, the truths of God’s Word are not just to be known intellectually, but they are also to be lived out practically. Knowledge alone does not make one a disciple of Christ. Even demons have knowledge about Christ, as James reminds us:
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (James 2:19-20).
A disciple is distinguished from a demon because he/she both belongs to and continually becomes like Christ. Churches should labour to do this!
Reflections
1. Does the statement made by James disturb you? What are you going to do about it?
