Articles
Observe All Things
We call it the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” The One to whom all power was given commanded His eleven disciples to teach, baptize, and then continue teaching those who had believed and had been baptized. It was a great responsibility but also a blessing. It is still today, as the effort to teach, baptize, and continue teaching remains among His disciples.
Paul was an apostle who described himself as, “one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8). He was also sent out to preach, and he wrote of his ministry with the other apostles, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:1-2).
We often think of preachers when we think of this work, but the effort to teach begins first in the home, doesn’t it? The Biblical instruction for young women falls on many deaf ears today, but Paul wrote in Titus 2:4-5 that “the young women” were “to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Paul wrote regarding children, that they were to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’” Then he added, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4). This paints a picture of a Godly home.
Sadly, this kind of home is difficult to find today. Too many men and women engage in sexual relationships prior to marriage. Children are often born into homes that never joined the father and mother or into homes that are broken and dysfunctional. This is not and never has been God’s desire for families. God’s desire is that children have parents who love Him, love each other, and love their children. God’s desire is that dads and moms subject themselves to His will, become His children, and then teach their children “to observe all things that I have commanded you” by both word and example, so that they too will serve the Lord.
The lack of this type of home and this type of teaching is bearing fruit for all the world to see. God helped Peter see that He wanted the gospel taught to Jew and Gentile alike. Peter entered the house of Cornelius and said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). This example should help us understand that God invites people of all nations and all races to be “born again” (John 3:3; 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23). James 2:1-13 teaches us that God does not judge between rich and poor, nor should we. James 2:9 reads, “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
God wants faithful children who shine as lights in the world and faithful families who teach their children the same. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). The goodness of Christians ought to shine as a light in the world that causes any honest heart to praise God for the wisdom of His word and the gospel. The teachers who once taught me would say that a Christian’s home was a well-ordered home, managed by parents who worshiped God, and a place where children learned wholesome habits through orderly practices that helped them grow and mature physically, mentally, and spiritually – daily practices that included the reading of God’s word and often discussions about God’s word.
Children reared in homes with Christian parents will not remember a time when they did not believe in God, for it will be an ever-present part of their lives and decision making. Godly fathers commit themselves to the same effort that Joshua of old stated in Joshua 24:15, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
We call it the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” The One to whom all power was given commanded His eleven disciples to teach, baptize, and then continue teaching those who had believed and had been baptized. It was a great responsibility but also a blessing. It is still today, as the effort to teach, baptize, and continue teaching remains among His disciples.
Paul was an apostle who described himself as, “one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8). He was also sent out to preach, and he wrote of his ministry with the other apostles, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:1-2).
We often think of preachers when we think of this work, but the effort to teach begins first in the home, doesn’t it? The Biblical instruction for young women falls on many deaf ears today, but Paul wrote in Titus 2:4-5 that “the young women” were “to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Paul wrote regarding children, that they were to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’” Then he added, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4). This paints a picture of a Godly home.
Sadly, this kind of home is difficult to find today. Too many men and women engage in sexual relationships prior to marriage. Children are often born into homes that never joined the father and mother or into homes that are broken and dysfunctional. This is not and never has been God’s desire for families. God’s desire is that children have parents who love Him, love each other, and love their children. God’s desire is that dads and moms subject themselves to His will, become His children, and then teach their children “to observe all things that I have commanded you” by both word and example, so that they too will serve the Lord.
The lack of this type of home and this type of teaching is bearing fruit for all the world to see. God helped Peter see that He wanted the gospel taught to Jew and Gentile alike. Peter entered the house of Cornelius and said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). This example should help us understand that God invites people of all nations and all races to be “born again” (John 3:3; 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23). James 2:1-13 teaches us that God does not judge between rich and poor, nor should we. James 2:9 reads, “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
God wants faithful children who shine as lights in the world and faithful families who teach their children the same. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). The goodness of Christians ought to shine as a light in the world that causes any honest heart to praise God for the wisdom of His word and the gospel. The teachers who once taught me would say that a Christian’s home was a well-ordered home, managed by parents who worshiped God, and a place where children learned wholesome habits through orderly practices that helped them grow and mature physically, mentally, and spiritually – daily practices that included the reading of God’s word and often discussions about God’s word.
Children reared in homes with Christian parents will not remember a time when they did not believe in God, for it will be an ever-present part of their lives and decision making. Godly fathers commit themselves to the same effort that Joshua of old stated in Joshua 24:15, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
It is heart breaking today to see so many people who seem to be travelling with no road map and no clear destination. Jesus’ reaction comes to mind in Mark 6 when He sees the multitudes who have followed Him. Mark wrote, “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So, He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). This story ends with Jesus feeding thousands of people. Mark 6:44 says there “were about five thousand men.” But His compassion moved Him to teach them what they needed to hear first. Our world seems to get that backwards most of the time, worrying about physical needs more than spiritual needs. Jesus did not get that backwards.
Whether we are talking about parents who subject themselves to Christ or the effort to, “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6), it begins with an acceptance of Jesus’ authority. Remember what He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). His is the power of choice, the power of authority, and the power of rule. It was His choice that all nations be taught, believers be baptized, and that they then be further taught to “observe all things that I have commanded you.” He had commanded His apostles to teach (Matt. 28:20), and they left us the New Testament.
We must first accept this truth: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10). The “virtuous wife” of Proverbs 31:10-31, “opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness” (31:26). Proverbs 2:6 teaches, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” He does this through His word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Let us give ourselves to God and to His word. He will lead us and our families in a way that is good, right, and wholesome – the way that leads to eternal life.
