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9. Christ’s Command to Teach Sanctification (Matthew 28:20)
MATTHEW 28:20
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. … (Matthew 5:17-20, 7:21-27)
Christ commanded His apostles to preach to all nations and baptize those who believe in Him. Now He commands them to teach and establish and disciple those who have believed so they will grow in spirit and understanding of the Bible.
Jesus demands us to keep His words in our heart and to fill our subconscious with them in order to strengthen our faith, be comforted in critical days, and be revived in His services. Whoever loves Jesus observes His commandments. It is fit for us to repent and to learn by heart, every day, one of Christ’s commandments, so that we can honor and glorify Him.
Knowledge is not sufficient. It requires practical application in life. This is why our Lord Jesus commanded us to walk according to the gospel. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34). Christ is the heart and essence of His law. We will not love for the sake of being saved, for the blood of Jesus Christ has already saved us because He loved us first. Jesus wants us to be conformed into His image and to sanctify ourselves by his grace that we may love all. He demands from us: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Also, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15), and added, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Anyone who seriously considers Christ’s 1,000 commands in the New Testament will be convicted by his conscience when he realizes he does not love as Jesus loves. Christ’s commandments lead us into repentance and brokenness. How shall we teach others if we do not do our self what we teach? The King of Kings asks us to keep and teach all that He has commanded us. How can you obey Him if you do not know His commandments? He who studies Christ’s law in the four gospels finds that it includes more than 1,000 commandments and ordinances, and Jesus asks us to teach them faithfully to our families, our churches, and our friends. This is not for the sake of gathering good deeds and righteous works for salvation, but to thank Christ for His salvation obtained for us on the cross. Jesus has pointed out the meaning of His law: “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). Whoever seeks and applies His law, shall be broken of his pride and will live in continuous repentance, for there is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:9-20). He who seeks to observe all Christ’s commandments can no longer live in hypocrisy and will not prefer himself to others but will humble himself and seek his Savior’s forgiveness and power daily. Not only will he try to apply the commandments of his Lord to his daily life, but he will seek to teach them and share their truth with others.
PRAYER: We thank You Lord Jesus for Your salvation and for justifying us. Help us to observe, keep, and teach Your commands. Forgive us if we neglected Your 1,000 commandments, and establish us in them that we may not give offense to others, by teaching others what we do not apply to ourselves. Help us that we may be sanctified in all respects of our life and follow You in the power of Your Holy Spirit.
QUESTION:
- How many commandments of Christ’s do you know? Do you apply them to your life, and teach them to others?