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Scripture Reading:    II Corinthians 5:18-21

God has always had a job for His people to do. We call these jobs "commissions." Noah was commissioned to build an ark and be a "preacher of righteousness" (II Peter 2:5). Abraham was commissioned to leave his kindred and become a blessing to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-3).

In Old Testament times, the nation of Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles, as they will be some day (Isaiah 49:6). But throughout their history, they failed to carry out their commission. Therefore, when Christ came to earth, He said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). How could Israel be a light to the nations if she herself was lost? In Matthew 10, the Lord sent His Twelve Apostles out on a "great commission" to preach the gospel of the kingdom "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6). After His resurrection, Christ gave the disciples an even "greater commission" to go to "all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). After this, they could preach "in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). But not all Jerusalem believed, and the apostles, true to their commission, stayed where they were (Acts 8:1).

It was then that God raised up the Apostle Paul to go to the Gentiles. To him, and us, was entrusted the "greatest commission" of all. It is recorded in II Corinthians 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as tough God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God," Are you carrying out God's "great commission" for this dispensation?