The Key to the Missionary's Success   [return to devotional list]

"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..."

(Matthew 28:18-19)

The key to the missionary's success is the command of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the lost. The great controlling factor is not the needs of the people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front - what can we do? who can we reach? how many can we save tomorrow? The tendency to focus forward leads to unhealthy definition of success. The inspiration is behind us, it is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the motivation and being true to Him and His plans is the primary goal.

Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must be maintained. In missionary work, the great danger is that God's call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm you and the significance of being sent by the Lord. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ.

Are you making disciples? Attending church is not making disciples. Enjoying good fellowship and participating in demonstrative worship is not making disciples. Are you reproducing the Christ in you in other people?

The command is "Go and make disciples." The key to a missionary's success is understanding the command takes precedent over everything else. And with the command comes His authority. Fulfill His command and now God is obligated to release His authority - sovereign and supreme authority of all people and all resources.

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