What was the greatest lie every told?
Treated fairly, this question could spark an endless debate. That is, if it weren’t for this one lie: “Surely, you shall not die”.
¶ Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
The Greatest of all lies was hidden in plain sight among what was true.
Deceiving all who will listen. This is important to know.
This greatest of all LIES is still having a subtle yet widespread influence because it is still lurking, hiding behind what is true, waiting to infect.
Oswald Chambers reminds us that “Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go…make disciples of all the nations….Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself.”
Oswald Chambers is on the mark. I would like to add…
BEING A CHRISTIAN IS BEING A DISCIPLE. You cannot be a Christian and not be a Disciple of Jesus.
Being a Disciple of Jesus is a Prophetic fulfillment and a supernatural act. You cannot be a Christian and escape the role and calling of a Disciple.
So, where does this lead?
You see, Jesus said Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… —Matthew 28:19. Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls”, nor did He say
“put your major emphasis on a new building program”, or “get a vision that works” (for we all know we’ll perish without a good vision) nor did He say to go and “train staff members”.
These all may be good things, but He did not say these or a myriad of other very good things we attach to His command to “Go, therefore, and make disciples”. Everything we do as Christians, everything we do in the Church, everything we do in Jesus name, should culminate in the Great Commission: Making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus calls all people unto Himself and tells us to take up our cross on follow Him. He shows us the way:
- When Jesus was feeding the hungry: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus was healing the sick: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus was preaching the Gospel: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus was teaching the multitudes: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus was casting out demons: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus cared for the orphan and the widow: He was calling and making disciples.
- When Jesus sent His disciples into the world: He told them to make disciples.
- Disciples follow Jesus. Disciples do what Jesus does. Disciples make other disciples.
- Disciples feed the hungry.
- Disciples lay hands on the sick.
- Disciples preach the Gospel.
- Disciples teach the ways of Jesus.
- Disciples cast out demons. Disciples care for the orphan and the widow.
- Disciples make disciples.
There have been many who followed Jesus for a time, but when it became apparent that it was not something they could do, they left Him. (John Scriptures tell us that many stopped following Him. They were never disciples. They were never Christians.
If you and I are disciples of Jesus who call ourselves Christians and we are doing things in addition to what Jesus does, that is good.
But, if we are not putting our emphasis on the things Jesus does, we err.
And, if we are not making disciples, we are not following Jesus because we are not His disciples and should not call ourselves Christians.
The greatest Lie ever told? “You surely shall not die.” But, we all know that is a lie. Being told that you can follow Jesus without doing what He said, is part of that lie.
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
But, then, you will die.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
“Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Job 13:15
Whitestone Fellowship 