It’s safer that way

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The Great Commission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

We have been commanded by Jesus to preach the gospel in the name of Jesus, share the good news in the name of Jesus, bring the Word to all in the name of Jesus, to save souls in the name of Jesus, to bring unbelievers to belief in the name of Jesus, to point them to the nearest church in the name of Jesus … all in the name of Jesus.

We do kingdom work in the name of Jesus, on behalf of Jesus, for Jesus. Our burden is heavy, the work is hard, the wolves are many, the flock is revolting, our cross truly is a cross of nails and thorns and splinters and sweat. No blood though. He did that (in the name of Jesus) – so we don’t have to. We just have to sweat a little.

God has been around for a while. Jesus came and tarried awhile before hot-footing it back to God. The Holy Spirit wafts around like a vaporous butterfly thingie. And it is all so tricky to get our heads around. I have the bible of course: go and do in the name of Jesus. But even that isn’t clear – too many different opinions and interpretations (in the name of Jesus of course).

In the name of Jesus!

Abracadabra! Tap three times. Turn around once. Open your eyes and … abracadabra! It’s a miracle! You have found God! I have brought you to Jesus! Another sinner saved! Hallelujah, in the name of Jesus! Sanctified! We have been sanctified! In the name of Jesus! Amen!

Does that sound a tad sceptical?

It’s just that “make disciples” is the key command. All this saving and bringing and converting and church filling … none of that seems to be part of “The Great Commission.” Indeed – the Great Commission does not get a mention in the “Great Commission” – we did that (in the name of Jesus, obviously).

Make disciples.

That takes Love. That takes time. That requires safety and freedom and choice and desire. That requires lovers not workers. And as all good lovers know – the learning is both ways – each grows together. Because that is relationship. And relationship is hard to do on a grand scale. Relationship is small scale. Intimate. Personal.

Adoration is easier. Toe-nail worship is much easier. Pretend relationship is the easiest (in the name of Jesus, obviously). Sometimes I think it just me who thinks this way. Then He gives me another verse:

Jesus said to the crowds, “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you…. In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:6, 12-14

And that speaks again.

We never give best steak to our dog. Our dog will gobble mouldy food. Our dog will gobble best steak. Our dog does not mind which. Best steak is not precious to our dog. Dogs will snarl and snap over mouldy stuff or best stuff. So why do we throw our most precious joy – our most precious gift – around like that (in the name of Jesus, obviously)? Because Jesus commanded us to – or because we simply daren’t look at the “Great Commission” and wonder who invented all this “our version” codswallop?

Does that sound a tad sceptical?

It’s just that the one thing I always see missing always is the ONE thing God Soft Hands Jesus You IS always. The ONLY thing God Jesus Spirit Me IS always. Love.

Real Love. Unconditional Love. Universal Love. Infinite Love. Love beyond our comprehension Love. Love that is Joy, Abundant Joy, Personal Joy, Infectious Joy, Joyful Loving!

What is Love?

Sorry – I am not your man.

I am not qualified to teach you about love. Don’t even know the bible very well. Not even a Sunday church going regular. Don’t even tithe like I am told we should. So I can’t know enough about “our version” of love. Best ask someone who can. Who has the degree and the title and the reputation and the celebrity of the established version of “our version” of Love – it’s safer that way.

Does that sound a tad sceptical?

26 thoughts on “It’s safer that way”

  1. I truly believe I should put feet to my prayers .Otherwise be doers of the word. I hear the name of Jesus said quite a bit. I wonder sometime if some folks even know what they are saying.

    As for making disciples.I learned a long time ago that it takes a very dedicated man or woman to make disciples. It is not a task to set out on all alone. We need to have the Holy Spirit with us to do the work.

    The Lord said not by our own power or might but by the spirit. For it is the spirit that brand the yoke of bondage on a individuals life.

    I believe as you have often said.that without love you cannot get anything done. Why you definitely won’t get the Holy Spirits help when you call on Jesus’s name or try to make a solid disciple for Christ.

    Wrk said Paul. I enjoyed this post.

    Joy to you

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    • Tom what a joyful comment! Thank you. “I should put feet to my prayers” – I am not even sure what it means – but I love the sound of that!

      How is summer in your neck of the woods? June already half gone!! We get occasional mini-heatwaves (as we call them – it means we have had sun for three consecutive days!) 🙂

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      • Yes we are finally seeing the sun here as well. Summer has arrived.
        I mowed yesterday for the first time in awhile. We have had record rainfall this year. I could have bailed all that grass, there was so many clippings. Thank you for your kind thoughts Paul. Putting feet to prayers is a old saying of, instead of just talking about and asking God to do this and do that. Get out there and do it yourself.God will go before you and help make the way.

        Enjoy your day brother and that warm sunshine.

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  2. I love this post. Because I get it. Even after just one read! How do u like them apples??
    Being skeptical is understandable. But unnecessary. And if I know u, ur not really skeptical because nobody figures out their own quandaries like pfg.
    But indulge me.
    We don’t all need to get out there and shout from the rooftops that Jesus is real and the Savior of the world. Some of us do, can and should. But others need simply to lead their lives. That’s it. Live. Day to day. AND LET GOD SHOW THEOUGH YOUR LOVE Through your goodness. Your kindness. Your lack of judging others. Your constant simple Jesus like life can move mountains.
    But u know this. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

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    • Aww nuts! Only one read!! 🙂
      Katie, thank you. No – not sceptical. Not at all. Just seemed to be a phrase to try and breach “that’s what I have always been taught, and that is the only way it can be” I see so much.
      “Some of us do, can and should.” Amen. “But others …” Someone quoted a “famous phrase” that I love (and have just googled for accuracy):
      “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” – Francis of Assisi
      Don’t you sometimes wish you could write a showstopper like that?
      🙂

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  3. I am still digesting this and have so much to say. I feel like you’re in my head sometimes, it’s scary! When I’m done meditating on these words I’ll comment further. 🙂

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  5. Ok here is the thing. This is connection, this is real, this is you being honest and effecting others. This is you showing up honest and standing up for truth, hard truth. This is love winning. This is our beautiful church that exists regardless of time and space and distance. This is God saying to me, “Melissa I know you are hurting and are too stifled to write about all of the things in your heart so I am sending someone else to do it for you, not emotional just telling the truth.” This is God’s taking tmy pain and words I am having a hard time expressing and giving them to you to express for me. This is love.

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    • Dear Melissa, odd thing is this. What is brave to one is not to another. Those words just “were” – and an admission: as my finger hovered over “publish” I got a “not yet” whisper. Had a few of those recently. Is that Him, or is that “him” – the darker him. Sometimes the voices sound similar. So was that “me” or was that Him?
      Connected we all are – yet He connects each of us perfectly with Him, and perfectly with each other – all without needing to explain the details along the way – if we trust and love.
      This post? Up until your first comment I was not sure whose voice I heard.
      With your second comment – now wondering why my confusion.
      He ain’t telling, but I am listening even harder.
      “This is love winning” – this is love. Always.
      ((hugs))

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  9. Always so right there, right on, so lovely right. Love. Yes. Unbounded, unscripted, raw, heart-swelling, tear-producing love. Love is the genesis and the revelation. Love is the answer. Ah – I think love is the question, too.

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    • “I think love is the question, too.”
      That is a cool thought: “Love is always the answer, and the question is always love”
      As always dear Susan, you have me pondering in the best of ways! Thank you!

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  10. Pingback: Toe-nail worship … revisited | Just me being curious

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