Devotional: Responsible for Teaching

Matthew 28:18-20 I receive an email from my sister Marie. Marie is a retired school teacher that continues to substitute occasionally. Marie keeps up with events taking place in the world. In her most recent email she comments, “I think folks should go back and study history.” This comment is based on her belief that people have misguided understanding about events taking place today because they do not know history. This reminds me of the church today. In my experience, I believe that too often the church emphasizes things that seem important. There is the tendency to get on the bandwagon to follow the latest trends. At the same time the church omits important principles found in the scriptures. For example, we are told to praise God to receive a blessing. The people are directive to praise the Lord by clapping their hands, dancing, and making a joyful noise. These are good things that ought to be done. However, the scriptures tell us that our praise is authentic only if we live in obedience to the Lord. “‘I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’” (Amos 5:21-24, NASB). After His resurrection Jesus prepares to return to His Father. He commissions His disciples saying, “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19, NASB). The church places a lot of emphasis on baptizing new converts. On the other hand, less emphasis is place on our responsibility after our conversion. Jesus continues, “Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (v. 20). Since we are disciples of Jesus we are responsible for keeping the commands of Jesus in everything that he teaches us. As a preacher and a teacher of God’s words, it is my responsibility to teach others about their covenant relationship with Christ. Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant that your Spirit will be in us so that we are aware of our responsibility to live according to the terms of Your covenant with us. Amen.