Matthew 28:19-20 says, “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV
Many Christians are well aware of these verses, and regard them as encouragement, yea even a commandment to bring many to salvation.
Let me begin by asking you, the believer, is that really what is said here? Does the text require the believer to simply preach salvation, or does it say to make disciples of them?
What is a disciple? Is it someone who has had something of great worth bestowed upon them? Is it a person who has had the price of their sin paid? Is it someone who is no longer judged guilty?
Yes, It is all of these things, but let us look at the word, “disciple,” for a moment. What is a disciple? We might first note that the root of the word comes from discipline. If we understand this word it will bring clarity to the meaning of disciple. A disciple is one that is disciplined, but how are they disciplined?
Does this passage refer to someone punishing someone else for failing to live up to a certain standard? Does it refer to someone rewarding someone else for toeing the line, and producing godly fruit, or is it referring to those who choose to discipline themself?
I believe that it is the latter. The Bible is God’s instruction to his created ones, and there is much doctrine, reproof, and correction for all to see. What we do with it remains in our court.
The Church is not just an assembly or a club, but it is a holy thing that God wishes to include all the people of His creation. In these verses we are told to make disciples of others, isn’t it clear that before any can do that, they must first be disciplined?
Okay, to what are we to discipline ourselves? Is it not the doctrine of the Gospel, the Word of God, or the Bible? “…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We are to obey what God has commanded us. Obedience equals discipleship, and this verse clearly says to obey EVERYTHING that god has commanded.
So, what is not included in everything? If our ruling document, the standard for good government, the US Constitution gives the citizen, or, “we the people,” the rulership over our nation, establishing the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, is it not our duty to hold our public officials accountable?
Many of our Christian brethren believe that they are ruled by elected, and appointed politicians. When our governors demanded that congregating in churches was too dangerous, many well-meaning Christians believed that these officials had the authority to determine what activities, and what professions were essential, and nonessential.
Is that what our Constitution says, or does the first amendment to our Bill of Rights explicitly deny this authority to our federal government? Some of you may point out that these restrictions were issued by state governments, not the federal government. Let me point out that it is Supreme Court precedent that no state government is authorized to make legal, what our constitution forbids. Therefore, it is utterly unconstitutional for any government figure to violate any part of the first amendment.
This principle applies to every part of our US Constitution, and it is the duty of American citizens not only to know but, obey it. It is time for Americans to remove themselves from in front of their televisions, put down their newspapers, and begin applying the word of God in their civic engagement. It is well past time for Christian Americans to refuse to have their activities, and devotions dictated by those that hate God, who impose their ungodly will on the weak, and unsuspecting.
Christian Americans have a duty to obey the Word of God in every area of their life, including their government. If the Bible tells us what is right, and wrong, no politician can overrule that standard.
If our constitution specifies our restrictions, and liberties, and those of our politicians, these are the standards, and it is the duty of Americans to insist on them.
God bless you, Dave
Amen brother.