The Great Commission is Not a Suggestion

This is Part One of a multi-part exploration of the impact of the great commission

When we hear the word commission, we often think of a task, a job, or a responsibility that has been given to someone. A commission is not simply an idea someone shares with us. It is an assignment that comes with authority, purpose, and expectations.

A person who is commissioned is not just given information — they are given a responsibility.

A soldier commissioned by their commanding officer does not get to decide whether the mission is important. The soldier doesn't get to do the task when he wants to. He can not consider the assignment to be voluntary.

A messenger commissioned by a king does not get to rewrite the message. The responsibility of the one commissioned is to faithfully carry out the will of the one who sent them.

The person who is receiving the assignment doesn't have the luxury of paying someone else to do it, or doing it in their free time. The assignment comes with an expectation of full commitment. The one doing the commissioning expects an immediate response.

The choice is simple- accept the commission in it's entirety or decline it. Do Not half way accept it or accept it with half your heart.

This is why the words of Jesus at the end of His earthly ministry should stop us and make us pay attention.

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus says:

"Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.'"— Luke 24:44-48

Notice what Jesus does here.

He does not say, "If you feel led, share this message."

He does not say, "This would be a good idea for some people to consider."

He says, "You are witnesses of these things."

The disciples had been entrusted with the greatest message the world has ever received — the good news that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death.

And that message came with a responsibility.

A Commission Comes With Authority

When Jesus gives the Great Commission, He does so as One who has all authority.

Matthew records:

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...'"— Matthew 28:18-19

Jesus has given us the authority to fulfill our commissioning

The reason the Church takes this seriously is not because evangelism is a nice Christian activity. It is because the risen King has given His people a mission.

We are not representing ourselves.

We are not sharing our own opinions.

We have been entrusted with the message of the King.

A Commission Requires Faithfulness

The Apostle Paul understood this deeply. He wrote:

"This is how one should regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."— 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

A steward is someone who manages something that belongs to another.

The steward does not own the house.The steward does not create the rules.The steward does not decide whether the owner's instructions are convenient.

The steward's responsibility is faithfulness.

This changes the way we view the Great Commission.

It is not simply about having the right personality, the right opportunities, or the right training. Those things matter — but before anything else, it is about faithfulness to the One who sent us.

This is a commandment not a suggestion

Honoring the Commission

One of the greatest dangers for the Church is that we can begin treating Jesus' command as optional.

We may celebrate the Great Commission.We may quote the Great Commission.We may even admire those who obey the Great Commission.

But the question we must ask is:

Are we honoring the commission we have been given?

The Great Commission isn't a suggestion.

It is the responsibility of every follower of Jesus.

And in Part 2, we will look at what it means to actually live as people who have been commissioned — not just people who know the words.