His Command To You

January 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

His Command To You

When we begin a new year we anticipate a change of some kind. In the Bible, we find a transition taking place when we move from the Gospels into Acts. It is not a new year but a new dispensation – a change in how God deals with people.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave instructions to His disciples just before ascending to heaven. About ten days later the Holy Spirit filled the believers, causing them to speak of the mighty deeds of God in all the languages of those who heard (Acts 2:1-11). From that day to the present those who put their trust in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus are added to the Church, waiting for the moment when they will meet Him in the air and forever be with Him in heaven. Will you be there?

In His instructions the Lord commanded His own to “go ... and make disciples of all the nations” (Mt. 28:19 NASB). Directed to the followers of Christ, the question for every believer is: “Am I being obedient by telling others about my Lord and Savior?” Throughout the Bible we find words of encouragement and warning about doing what the Lord says. As to a portion in Judges, William MacDonald wrote in his Believer’s Bible Commentary (pg. 270), “Scripture notes carefully those who fought in the battle and those who stood passively by, unwilling to risk their safety in Jehovah’s cause. And so it is today: the Lord knows who is actively confronting the world and the Devil and who is sitting back and simply watching. There is a time of reward coming, but it is also a time of loss (1 Cor. 3:10-15).” Will you be rewarded or simply “saved, yet so as through fire”?

As you read the articles the Lord brought together for this month’s edition, we hope that you will enjoy a glimpse of His great plan and desire for “all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). You may be reminded of the articles on Romans from the July / August 2013 edition as you see again that the power for gospel work comes from God. We hope that you will, through the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, be freshly motivated to tell others about the Lord and to live your life as a testimony of His love for all mankind – both young and old. Press on for Him!

By Paul Alberts