Becoming a Christian is often presented as “making a decision for Christ”. By this, people mean we need to recognize our sin, to see how sin separates us from Life, and to place our trust in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His victory over death. This is often expressed in the form of a prayer.
But this decision is really just the first of “two” great decisions that define a Christian’s life. And really, it’s more of a response than a decision. Calling it a decision tends to trivialize all that happens in that moment:
God, who has set His loving sights on me and has been drawing me to Himself experiences the joy of restored relationship.
I receive the Holy Spirit and am empowered to live the Christian life.
There is joy in the presence of the angels in heaven.
God remembers my sin no more and when He looks on me He sees the perfection of Jesus.
The magnificence of this moment can only be understated. Still, if this is the only decision that defines my life as a Christian, my life will be weak, purposeless, irrelevant, and unfruitful.
There’s another crucial decision: my next one – the decision I make later today, next week, and next year. When this decision is consistent with the life Jesus modeled and everything He taught, I will be representing God’s kingdom and I can be a part of bringing God’s healing to a badly broken world. My choices and attitudes really do matter – at home, at work, in the marketplace, when I drive, when I vote, when I engage with my church, and when I encounter hungry and hurting people. How I steward my time really makes a difference – along with my prayers, my money, my influence, my access, and my tongue.
The first decision is absolutely crucial – the second isn’t possible without it. But too often we settle into this one decision without giving much thought to the second. Both decisions reveal our acceptance of Christ’s authority over our lives.
Matthew 28:18-20 speaks to both decisions. In this passage we call The Great Commission, Jesus tells us to make disciples of all nations (all peoples):
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, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Two things the Church is told to do:
Baptize new believers
The Church baptizes new believers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is closely tied to the first decision. When we first place our life under Christ’s authority, we are told to be baptized.
Teach Christians to Obey Christ’s Commands
Obeying Christ’s commands relates to the second decision – our next decision. Every parent knows there’s a big difference between teaching commands and teaching someone to obey those commands. With every next decision, we need to be certain we know Christ’s commands and that we give Him highest authority. All of scripture, but especially sections like Matthew 5-7; Luke 6; 1 Corinthians 13; and Galatians 5, will really challenge us for sure. But the Christian life is one completely surrendered to Christ’s authority.
I challenge you to see your life defined by two great decisions, not just one.
