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In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of our true purpose as followers of Christ. We often find ourselves caught up in the day-to-day, forgetting the powerful mission we've been entrusted with. Today, let's take a moment to reflect on what it truly means to live out the Great Commission and ask ourselves: Are we really all in?

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:16-20, is Jesus' final instruction to His disciples before ascending to heaven. He says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This command isn't just a suggestion; it's a call to action for every believer.

But let's be honest – following this command isn't always easy. Jesus never promised it would be. In fact, He warned us that following Him would come at a cost. In Matthew 10:16-18, He says, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles."

This paints a stark picture of what our lives might look like if we truly commit to living out the Great Commission. The world, Jesus warns, will do its best to devour us. Yet, amidst the hardships, we're promised hope, peace, assurance, and joy.

So, what does it mean to be "all in" for Christ? It's not about sitting on the sidelines or practicing an "indoors Christianity." It's full contact. It's about denying ourselves, picking up our cross daily, and following Jesus' example in our day-to-day lives.

But here's a sobering statistic: As of 2021, only 20% of U.S. churchgoers truly knew what the Great Commission was and could identify it. This disconnect raises a challenging question: Does your daily walk have enough evidence to convict you of being a disciple of Jesus?

There's a crucial difference between merely confessing belief and truly living it out. James reminds us that faith without works is dead. So what sets apart a true disciple from a mere student? A student uses learned knowledge and applies it when needed, but a disciple imitates what they learn, living it and practicing it daily. They become an exact representation of their teacher.

The core biblical meaning of "disciple" is "learner" or "imitator." In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, a disciple didn't just study a master's words; they followed and imitated their master's life, mannerisms, and practices, eventually becoming like them. Our goal as disciples of Jesus is to become like Him. As Luke 6:40 states, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher."

Living the Commission means actively and purposely looking for opportunities to share the gospel. It doesn't require being a street preacher with a bullhorn. Jesus modeled how to go out two by two, engaging with people in everyday situations. Our lives should be on display, like a light on a hill.

The good news is that we're not sent out alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit, as promised in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This power isn't a one-time gift but something we should seek daily by spending time with Jesus and filling ourselves with the Holy Spirit.

So why do many Christians struggle to spread the gospel? Common reasons include feeling unprepared, fear of rejection, being too comfortable, believing it's not their calling, being distracted by other priorities, or being discipled by worldly influences instead of Christ.

We're not meant to live as comfortable Christians. John 14:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, but many of us have replaced the true Comforter with imitation comforts, making us passive in our faith. We're called to step out of our comfort zones and into Jesus' mission.

God won't push us out the door – He's already given us His Spirit and His power. But He will help steer us once we start moving. As the saying goes, "God doesn't move with parked cars." Living by sight often means living for ourselves, while living by faith means stepping out and trusting God to guide us as we go.

Romans 10:13-14 emphasizes the importance of our role in spreading the gospel: "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

At the heart of living out the Great Commission is love. Jesus gave us a new commandment in John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." This love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In a world full of chaos and division, this kind of love is needed more than ever. Living the Commission means loving others and sharing Jesus with them. We don't need to be 100% ready or have everything figured out. We have the Comforter, we have instructions, we have authority, and we have the reason.

As 1 Peter 2:21 reminds us, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps." This is every believer's calling – it's not optional or based on how we feel.

So, the question remains: Jesus went all in for you. Will you step out and be all in for Jesus? Let's commit to living out the Great Commission, not just in word, but in our daily actions and interactions. The world needs the hope, love, and truth of Jesus more than ever. Will you answer the call?