Every commandment of God has been given to us for God’s glory and for our own good. Each one helps us to thrive. That includes the Great Commission. Jesus commands us to take the good news concerning Him and the Kingdom of God to the hurting world around us. If we refuse to obey Him in this, we cheat ourselves and our loved ones out of a tremendous blessing. “He who wins souls is wise (Prov. 11:30). If we do not take the good news that has saved our own souls to others we waste our time in this world doing something that is less than the best use of our lives.
The beautiful, loving neighborhood communities of Christ’s church provide the biblical backdrop needed for truly effective evangelism. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47).
Our enthusiastic love for God, expressed as our love for one another “adorns the Gospel” (Titus 2: 10). It makes it more attractive. But living this loving way of life is intended to be a household adventure lived out every day of the week. Our family life, rather than being an obstacle to our mission, is actually a God-given vehicle for our mission. But just as with any other vehicle, our family household will need to receive routine maintenance in order to go the distance for God.
Christian families serve God more effectively as a team of ambassadors for Christ than they ever could as isolated individuals. But to do so effectively, the church must equip each family together as a team to serve God together as a team. In this way, because every Christian is in fact an ambassador for Christ, every Christian home can be in reality an embassy of God's kingdom on earth — a place where others may “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). Our weekly Neighborhood Church gatherings are intended to be a “support group” for living out the Great Commission as a wonderful way of life in a Household Embassy.
Do Well By Doing Good
When you accept your calling to be an Ambassador for Christ and make your home an Embassy of the Kingdom of God you will do well for yourself by doing good for others.
When you practice hospitality toward new friends, you will probably eat better than usual. By making things nice for others you get to enjoy them together.
So, invest a reasonable amount of income each year in rejoicing with your family and friends. Consider celebrating Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July in an inclusive way, and be prepared to tell the important, true stories at the heart of each holiday. By sharing your celebrations with others you not only adorn the Gospel of Christ, you also deepen the very friendships God intends to sustain you throughout your life.
Jesus Christ is a good and wise and competent King. He knows what He is doing. His Great Commission command is a way of delivering great benefits to your life. By submitting to His reign in this way, everything can get better, and even in times of trail and suffering, which eventually come to all of us, you may find that the seeds you have sown in these ways will be the very means by which God carries you through them. Enjoy life in God’s kingdom.