The Evangelistic Outpour: Living the Great Commission with Integrity

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, is a cornerstone in the life if a believer's faith, calling believers to spread the gospel with purpose and fidelity:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

This divine mandate is clear, yet its execution requires careful reflection. Over the years, the spread of the gospel has been pursued with zeal, but not always with the purity of motive or message that Jesus intended. As believers, we must approach evangelism with integrity, ensuring that our proclamation of Christ is rooted in His truth, not swayed by personal agendas or cultural influences.

Teaching All Things Jesus Commanded

The Great Commission doesn’t merely call us to teach; it commands us to teach all things Jesus instructed. This includes His teachings on love, repentance, forgiveness, and obedience to God’s will (e.g., John 14:15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments”). Yet, there’s a temptation to selectively share what’s palatable or popular, diluting the gospel to avoid offense. This selective teaching risks straying from Christ’s full counsel.

The question we must ask is: Are we truly adhering to God’s will in our evangelism? Too often, cultural biases, personal experiences, or misunderstandings shape our message. Instead, our first posture must be to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, as Hebrews 4:12 declares:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

God’s Word is alive, discerning our motives and cutting through our misconceptions. It calls us to align our hearts with His truth, ensuring that our evangelism reflects His will, not ours.

Living by Every Word of God

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He responded to Satan’s challenge with a profound truth: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, citing Deuteronomy 8:3). This reminds us that true life, spiritual vitality, comes from complete dependence on God’s Word. Our personal desires and appetites must submit to His divine purpose.

The human heart, as Jeremiah 17:9 warns, is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Left unchecked, it can lead us astray, even in our efforts to share the gospel. This is why we need Jesus, not just as our Savior, but as our guide to live out His commands fully. Through faith and obedience, we allow God to work in and through us, unlocking the potential He has placed within us to be effective witnesses.

The Power of Dependence on Christ

No situation is too great for God, but His power in our lives requires surrender. Evangelism is not about our strength or eloquence; it’s about our dependence on Christ. As Romans 8:13 exhorts, we must “mortify the deeds of the body” through the Spirit, crucifying our fleshly desires to align with God’s mission. Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20— “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”—assures us of His constant presence, empowering us to proclaim His truth boldly.

This truth may offend, as Proverbs 27:6 notes: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Open rebuke, grounded in love, is better than flattery that compromises the gospel. Jesus gave His life so we might have eternal life, a gift we must share with integrity.

The Essence of Eternal Life

What is this eternal life we proclaim? John 17:3 defines it clearly:

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Eternal life is not merely an endless existence; it is an intimate, transformative relationship with God and His Son. This “knowing” (ginosko in Greek) implies a deep, experiential connection, fostered through prayer, obedience, and consecration. The depth of our relationship with God grows as we surrender more fully to Him, embracing our identity as His children.

A Call to Faithful Evangelism

As we go forth to fulfill the Great Commission, let us do so with hearts anchored in God’s Word, free from personal agendas or cultural distortions. Let us teach all things Jesus commanded, live by every word of God, and rely on His presence to guide us. The gospel is not just a message to share, it’s a life to live, a truth to embody, and a Savior to know intimately.

May we proclaim Christ with boldness, humility, and unwavering faith, trusting that He is with us always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

In His Master's Service

Jesus Is Lord

Life Eternal Ministry International Inc.

Apostle Ronique Young