Many of us are familiar with the Great Commission that Jesus gave to all of His followers just prior to returning to heaven after faithfully and successfully completing the mission the Father gave to Him:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Mathew 28:18-20
One piece of this Great Commission is that as Jesus’ followers, we are to teach others to “observe all things” that Jesus commanded. Why is this so important?
I would like to posit two reasons for why it is so important for Jesus’ teachings to be shared with and taught to others.
The first reason is that all of Jesus’ teachings, which we call the Word of God, is the most valuable tool God has given us for every aspect of our day-to-day lives to equip us for our mission.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
The second reason is that the Word of God is powerful.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6-9
The creative power of the word of God caused all creation to come into existence. That same creative power is in the Bible we have, which is why the Bible is the only book that has the power to change lives.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
When we teach others the Word of God or put the Bible into someone’s hands, we are helping to fulfill the Great Commission because we are sharing the words of Jesus that are full of creative (and recreative) power. And, when God’s Word goes forth, things happen.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
“The Bible contains the living bread for the soul. Shall this book, with its treasures of wisdom, be opened to those who are unlearned? Shall we be justified in withholding this precious word from the ignorant and depraved, when by partaking of it by faith is eternal life? Shall we expend labor most largely for those who know the truth? Shall weeks be occupied in seeking to work up a greater interest among those who have heard the truth of salvation over and over again, and leave those who have never heard it with no effort for their enlightenment? How much more appropriate would it be for those who have been thus privileged, to expend their time, talent, and money in imparting that which they understand to those who do not know God, and have never had the Scriptures opened up before them, in presenting the special message that is to be given to the world in these last days! Gather up the precious fragments of truth, and go to work to present them to those who are starving for the word of life.” E.G. White, Review & Herald, December 24, 1895.
This is why Binding Broken Hearts is passionate about getting God’s Word into prisons and into the hands of inmates who so desperately need the creative and recreative power of God. Because these are men and women who need Jesus most.
Join us in the upcoming weeks as we delve into the power of the Word.
Perhaps you want to join Jesus in the Great Commission and help spread the power of His Word to an inmate who desperately needs its creative and recreative power. If so, please consider becoming a financial partner with us. Click here to see how you can help. "Gather up the precious fragments of truth, and go to work to present them to those who are starving for the word of life."