My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Matthew 28.

Scripture

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “Go, therefore, and make disciples…” –Matthew 28:18-19

Observation

Therefore: When studying the Bible, and you encounter a “therefore,” always ask, “What is therefore, there for?” This word harkens back to the basis for the Great Commission: Jesus has all authority.

Authority: Greek “exousia” The power or rule of government; the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.

The reason we should go and make disciples is because the Person who has ALL AUTHORITY–whose will must be obeyed–commands us to! To not obey the Great Commission is disobedience to the authority of the One with all authority!

Application

The Great Commission is not an option. But many believers treat it as optional, and thus, it bleeds over to me and affects me. I must resist this contagious lukewarmness toward our Lord’s final and most authoritative command.

I/We have a duty to make disciples. People say that love must be our supreme Christian motive, and I certainly agree. But duty and obligation must also be recognized as vital motivations. These two don’t contradict, they go hand in hand.

Prayer

Father, Your Son has All Authority in heaven and on earth! He earned it and deserves it! And He deserves to be obeyed completely! I’m sorry that I’ve let lukewarmness and apathy toward this command affect me. Please forgive me.

I embrace the Great Commission as my marching orders. I will do my best to obey these orders because I love You, and because it is my duty and responsibility to obey Your authority.

Father, strengthen me. Give me wisdom to make my steps count. And because You gave this command to all Your children, help me to ignite a fire in Your church.

Until there are disciples from every tribe, tongue, nation and people! I ask it in Christ’s name, Amen.