The Great Omission?

Well, we all know that before Jesus ascended to heaven post his resurrection, he gave a command to all Christians to “go into all the world and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20). What does this mean today especially given that all of us may not be able to go to the mission field? The call is not to be a mere believer who just studies God's word, believes and attends church but someone who is actively involved in the lives of others, discipling them in the things of God and His kingdom. We are not asked to be students who just want to know what the Master knows but to be disciples who do what the Master does.

Jesus said, the two fundamental tenets in Christianity are “to love God with all your heart and soul and mind” and “to love others as we love ourselves” (Luke 6:31-36). One thing that is often not recognized is that the two tenets are linked. Our love for God is always expressed as our love for others.
I John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

The kind of love that we are asked to demonstrate to others is not a "warm-fuzzy" love which is only feeling and emotion. God is calling us to a love that is based on choice, choosing to care about another person’s welfare even if that person is not someone we would naturally gravitate to. This is not always comfortable and could cost us. Salvation is free but discipleship will cost us something.

It is important to demonstrate our love for others by actively making disciples for His kingdom. It is not an option but a command given to every believer. Many times we make a decision to do something for God after the things we are pursuing are settled. However, this is not what Jesus is calling us to. He wants us to be everyday disciples in the everyday context of life.
Luke 14:25-27 (The Message)
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
Luke 14:33-34 (The Message)
"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.
"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

Imagine what the world would be like if every believer disciples a few, a few disciples could then go on to change a community, whole communities of disciples can then change nations and the world. Let’s make a conscious decision that we do not make the great Commission the great Omission in our lives.