Jesus was very explicit with his instructions to his apostles about the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:18-20.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In this scripture Jesus advises his apostles to go out to the world and make disciples of all people. Jesus would like everyone to be in his heavenly kingdom. However, people need to learn how to become believers before that can transpire. The disciples went out to many places to extend the invitation to all those unfamiliar with Jesus. This is an ambitious mission but Jesus knew that his gospel needed to be spread to all those unfamiliar with him. A person can’t be saved if he hasn’t been introduced to who Jesus was and why he was here. They had been filled with the holy spirit to complete their objective.
In our world today Christians are persecuted in many ways. Many in foreign lands are actually killed for espousing their beliefs and sharing them with others. Take a look at Matthew 5:10-12.
As you can see God knows exactly what you are going through. And if you are persecuted in his name on earth-you will reap your rewards in heaven. The vast majority of people going out and proclaiming the message of God won’t be killed.
But there can be other consequences for standing up for your faith. Paul from the bible is the perfect example. He was an extremely zealous advocate for Jesus Christ and his message. Just as strong in this role as he was when persecuting Christians before his conversion. He would go into the most volatile situations to uphold and teach the word of God and many times the consequences were hazardous to his health. Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 regarding Paul.
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Even with an unbearable amount of persecution Paul was 100% committed to the Great Commission like the original apostles were. Look at John 15:18-20.
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Your anxiety should be subdued in knowing that you are being taken care of by a God who has all of those disseminating his name and word scheduled to be in his house. Victory has been secured. You must just persevere until the end, which will be the beginning of a glorious eternity. One other scripture to review is John 16:33.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus came to this world to overcome sin and give all those who believe, the promise of eternity with him. He completed that with his life, death, crucifixion and ascension into heaven. He created everything and knows and has secured the outcome of this world. All who believe have an opportunity to share in it. No persecution we face will mean anything in the realm of eternity. There is no anxiety in heaven and you shouldn’t let it derail you from your mission on earthwhich will be the most magnificent reward for a job well done and life lived for his glory.
