5 Ways We Can Contribute to the Great Commission

Our calling to follow Jesus is not just a calling to salvation, but also a calling to join God in His great redemptive work.

Peter and Andrew heard this call:

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19, NLT)

To one degree or another, each Christian receives a similar call. This calling for all the disciples of Jesus is found in Matthew 28:18–20, the passage of Scripture we often call the Great Commission:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

The question that many of us who follow Jesus ask is: “What is my responsibility in carrying out the Great Commission?”

Here are five practical ways we can participate:

1. We love one another.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35, NLT)

According to Jesus, the way we treat and serve other Christians shows the world what it means to follow Him. Most people are practical, and what they are looking for is whether or not something works. Our love for each other demonstrates that following Jesus is better than living in the hostility and rejection of the world.

2. We pray.

“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” (Ephesians 6:19, NLT)

The apostle Paul asked for prayers to speak boldly about the Gospel. We may not always have the opportunities to share the Gospel directly, but we can pray for those who do. Through prayer, we join together in making disciples of all nations.

3. We use Scripture.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

The Bible is one of the ways God equips us to carry out the Great Commission. It isn’t up to us to convince people of the truth of the Gospel—Scripture and the Holy Spirit work together to bring conviction. Our role is to share Scripture with others in a way that is gentle, respectful, and full of grace.

4. We live faithfully.

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15, NLT)

By living a faithful life—recognizing Jesus as Lord—we demonstrate a hope that cannot be shaken. That hope will set us apart and lead people to ask about the source of our confidence. When they do, we have the opportunity to point them to Jesus. Never underestimate the power of a faithful life.

5. We use our gifts.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10, NLT)

Another way God equips us to participate in the task of making disciples is by blessing us with unique talents and resources. These are not given just for ourselves, but to serve others and point them to Christ. Being faithful with our gifts is one way we partner with God in His mission.

The Great Commission is a task that is bigger than any one person, but it is not beyond the reach of any one believer. God has invited each of us to take part in His mission. Whether through love, prayer, Scripture, faithful living, or using our gifts, we all have a role to play.

You are an important part of the work God is doing in the world. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—find a way you can contribute today, and do it.

The Spiritual Discipline of Subtraction

In one of the Wild at Heart podcasts (I don’t remember which one), Blaine Eldredge made a statement that caused me to stop and ponder:

“We talk about the mistake of adding when the life with God is largely about subtraction or replacement.”

I think this is a great insight. Most of us approach the Christian life like students eager for extra credit. We want to know what we can add to our already busy schedules—more Bible studies, more service projects, more activities. Deep down we think, If I can just stack enough good things together, then God will surely be pleased with me.

But Scripture shows us that life with God doesn’t begin with addition. More often than not, it begins with subtraction.

The Rich Young Ruler’s Dilemma

In Mark 10:17–22 we meet the rich young ruler who runs up to Jesus and asks, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is ready to add. His mindset is clear: Give me the next good work to tack onto my already impressive résumé.

Yet Jesus doesn’t add to his list. He subtracts. “You lack one thing: Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor… and come, follow me.”

The man went away sorrowful because the subtraction Jesus asked from him was too costly. His identity and security were wrapped up in wealth and position, and letting them go seemed impossible.

This encounter forces us to wrestle with a hard truth: sometimes the next step in following Jesus is not about doing more but about letting go of what already fills our hands.

The Burden of Addition

Our culture prizes addition. We measure our worth by accomplishments, possessions, and activities. Even in the church, busyness can masquerade as faithfulness. The problem is that constant addition eventually leads to exhaustion. We keep piling on responsibilities, hobbies, commitments, and distractions until we have no margin left to truly abide in Christ.

When Jesus says in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” He is offering a radically different way. His yoke is easy not because He expects nothing, but because He invites us to lay down the weight of unnecessary additions and to walk in the simplicity of love, obedience, and trust.

The Call to Subtraction

What might subtraction look like for us today? 

• Subtracting distractions: stepping away from the endless scroll of Netflix, social media, or news cycles that consume our time and attention.
• Subtracting misplaced loyalties: disentangling our identity from politics or culture wars that promise salvation but cannot deliver it.
• Subtracting busyness: saying no to the tyranny of schedules that leave no room for prayer, rest, or community.
• Subtracting idols: releasing whatever we cling to for security—money, reputation, success, or even good things like ministry—that keep us from depending fully on Jesus.

Paul captures this in Philippians 3:7–8: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” 

Subtraction is not about depriving ourselves—it is about clearing space for the greater treasure of Christ Himself.

Subtraction as Freedom

When we think about subtraction, it feels like loss. But in God’s economy, subtraction is freedom. By letting go, we make room for God’s presence. By releasing what enslaves us, we discover true rest. By losing our lives, we find them (Matthew 16:25).

The goal isn’t simply to have less but to make space for what matters most: abiding in Jesus. Subtraction clears the clutter so that the voice of the Shepherd can be heard above the noise.

A Question to Carry

So here’s the question I’ve been pondering—and I invite you to ponder it with me:

What is Jesus calling you to subtract from your life?

It may be something that seems valuable. It may feel like a responsibility. It may even be something that has defined you for years. But if it keeps you from abiding in Jesus, it is worth letting go.

Following Jesus isn’t about stacking up spiritual achievements. It’s about living with open hands—willing to subtract whatever competes with Him, so that our lives can be filled with the only One who truly satisfies.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Loving First Within the Family of God

Hebrews 6:10–12 (NLT)

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.

The heartbeat of the Christian life is love. Jesus said the world would recognize His disciples by the way we love one another (John 13:35). Love is what sets us apart and makes the church a light in a dark and hurting world.

In this passage, the writer of Hebrews highlights an important truth: we show our love for God by caring for other believers. That may sound surprising—shouldn’t we love everyone equally? Doesn’t God love the whole world?

Yes, God loves the world and desires all people to be saved. But Scripture makes it clear that His love for the church is unique. We are His children, His people, the bride of Christ. Just as a mother loves her own children differently than she loves her students, or a husband loves his wife in a way he doesn’t love his friends, God’s love for His people has a depth and intimacy unlike any other.

And because of that, we are called to love one another first. This isn’t favoritism—it’s family. When the church loves itself well, it becomes a place of belonging for those who are searching for hope. A world filled with rejection and heartache is desperate to see a community where grace, forgiveness, and genuine care are lived out. Loving each other doesn’t shut the world out; it makes the gospel more beautiful to those looking in.

Loving one another also shapes us spiritually. Sermons and studies are important, but deep transformation happens in community. As we serve, forgive, and share life with fellow believers, God forms His heart within us. Our desires begin to align with His. We grow in patience, faith, and passion for the things that matter most.

The great men and women of faith weren’t set apart because of knowledge alone, but because they desired what God desired. They were willing to sacrifice for His purposes because His heart had become their own.

If we want to become the people God created us to be, we must start here: loving one another in the family of God. From that love, our hearts expand to embrace the world around us. And as we do, we reflect the God who loved us first.

Let the Difference Be Jesus

The Call to Be Different

In her devotional You’re the Voice: 40 More Days with God, Christian artist Rebecca St. James poses a question that cuts to the heart: “Do people know we’re Christians by our actions and lifestyles?” She challenges us to consider whether our lives radiate the love, joy, purpose, and hope that come only from knowing Jesus. More importantly, she asks, “What does God see when He peers into our hearts?” Her prayer is that He finds a bold declaration: God reigns here.

The idea of being different can feel daunting. It means standing out in a world that often demands conformity. It means swimming against the cultural current, risking discomfort, and sometimes even rejection. Most of us naturally crave acceptance, blending in to avoid the awkwardness of being noticed for our faith. Yet, Jesus calls us to a life that is unmistakably distinct—not for the sake of being odd, but for the sake of reflecting Him.

The Temptation to Blend In

If we’re honest, many of us live lives that don’t look much different from the world around us. We engage with the same social media, consume the same entertainment, and pursue the same ambitions as everyone else. Our faith can become a private, compartmentalized part of life—reserved for Sunday services or personal devotions but absent from our daily habits and decisions.

Too often, we’re willing to follow Jesus as long as it doesn’t cost us too much. As long as it doesn’t make things awkward. As long as we don’t stand out. But God doesn’t call us to blend in. He calls us to be transformed, to live in a way that others can’t help but notice something different—a peace, a joy, a love that points to Jesus.

This isn’t about superficial differences or being intentionally provocative. It’s about a heart surrendered to Christ, allowing His lordship to shape every area of our lives—our words, choices, relationships, and priorities. It’s about living as citizens of another Kingdom.

The Danger of Compromise

We often talk about “finding God’s will,” but the harder task is living it. Too many of us ask, “How close can I get to the world’s edge without crossing the line?” This mindset leads us to flirt with compromise, rationalizing behaviors that dull our witness. Instead of pursuing holiness, we settle for a faith that’s comfortable but indistinct.

The apostle Peter offers a countercultural vision in 1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV):

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Peter reminds us that being different isn’t just about personal holiness—it’s about God’s mission in the world. When we live too close to the culture’s edge, we risk being pulled in by sinful desires that quietly erode our souls and our testimony. But when we choose to live distinctly, our lives become a living testimony of God’s grace, planting seeds that may one day lead others to glorify Him.

Living as Foreigners in 2025

So, what does it look like to live as “foreigners and exiles” in 2025? It’s not about grand gestures but about faithful, everyday choices that reflect Christ. It might mean curating your social media to share hope and truth rather than fear or division. It could mean choosing kindness in heated conversations or prioritizing face-to-face relationships over endless scrolling. It might look like standing firm in your convictions when you feel alone or serving others when it’s inconvenient.

These small acts carry eternal weight. They declare, God reigns here.

The Challenge: Let the Difference Be Jesus

Here’s the challenge: Live as a foreigner. Live as someone who belongs to God’s Kingdom. Let your life be a bold, unmistakable reflection of Jesus.

Take a moment to reflect:

• Does my daily life reveal that I follow Christ?
• Am I seeking God’s will, or am I settling for what’s comfortable?
• Is there something noticeably different about me that draws others to Him?

Being different isn’t easy, but it’s what we’re called to. It’s not about perfection but about progress—a daily surrender to Christ’s transforming work in us. When we live this way, the world notices. And when they see the difference, they see Jesus.

Let’s commit to living distinctly. Let the difference in us be Jesus.

Contrasting Lifestyles: Living by the Spirit

One of the defining characteristics of a follower of Jesus is being led by the Holy Spirit. A Spirit-led person will live differently from someone driven by the flesh. If there’s no noticeable difference between our lives and the lives of those who don’t follow Jesus, something is wrong. We may not be truly living under the Spirit’s guidance.

To understand what motivates us, we need to be able to recognize the difference between a life driven by the flesh and a life directed by the Spirit. The apostle Paul helps us do this by describing the “fruit” produced by each way of living.

In Galatians 5:19–21 (CSB), Paul lists the obvious works of the flesh:

sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar.

Then he gives a sobering warning—those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But Paul doesn’t leave us there. He goes on to describe the fruit of a Spirit-led life:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, CSB)

There is no law that stands against these things, because they reflect God’s character and His desires for His people. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, Paul says, we should keep in step with the Spirit—avoiding conceit, provoking one another, and envy.

When Paul calls the works of the flesh “obvious,” he means they clearly oppose the law of love Jesus gave His followers. Instead of putting others first, the flesh focuses inward. It seeks what we want, when we want it, without regard for God or others.

This is why examining our motivations matters. Are we acting out of self-interest, or out of a desire to honor God and serve others? Our natural instinct is to choose ourselves. Sacrifice does not come easily, and without the Spirit’s help, we drift toward selfishness.

The Spirit’s Fruit (vv. 22–23)

When we are led by the Spirit, Paul says, “there is no law against such things.” The Spirit becomes our compass, guiding us into God’s will. The fruit of the Spirit isn’t a checklist—it’s the evidence of a life shaped by God.

When love fills our actions, when peace rules our hearts, when kindness flows out of us—these are signs that the Spirit is at work. A Spirit-led life looks radically different from a life centered on self.

So ask yourself:

• Can you describe your life using these qualities?
• Are you motivated by love for others?
• Do you experience joy and peace?
• Are patience and kindness growing in you?

A Spirit-led life will produce Spirit-shaped fruit.

Walking by the Spirit (vv. 24–26)

Paul reminds us that those who belong to Jesus have crucified the flesh. Through Christ, the power of sinful desires has been broken—but we must continually surrender to Him. Without surrender, we lack the strength to resist the flesh, and the Spirit’s voice becomes increasingly faint.

The walk of the Spirit begins with surrender.

Consider these questions:

• Have you surrendered to Jesus?
• Are you more committed to God’s will than your own desires?
• Are you willing to remove distractions so you can hear the Spirit clearly?

There should be a clear contrast between the lives of Jesus’ followers and the world around them. Not because we are more disciplined or morally strong, but because we are committed to being led by the Spirit. As we surrender to His guidance, the Spirit leads us away from the passions of the flesh and toward the life God created us to live.

Point to Ponder:

Is the fruit of the Spirit increasingly visible in your life?

Question to Consider:

What is one area where you need to surrender more fully to the Spirit today?

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.