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Matthew 28:19-20 - 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." Amen. 

As believers, Jesus told us to go into the world and make disciples.  A disciple is someone who follows.  Often, when we discuss witnessing to the lost or conducting outreach, we focus on doctrine, helping people believe the right things, and encouraging them to say the prayer and confess Jesus as Lord. While doctrine and prayer are essential elements of a Christian’s life, Jesus said to make followers. Someone once said you can't clean fish before you catch them. 

I don't believe Jesus intended for us to teach people the dos and don'ts before they come to know Him; yet, sometimes, that’s the church's approach. We want people to believe and get it right before they even know Jesus.  

Our job as followers of Christ is to love God and let others get to know Christ through us. We need to show them Jesus through our prayers, our testimonies, and our character traits, the way we live our lives every day. We want people to see Jesus in us; we live our lives before men so they can see Him.  

In the book of Matthew, Jesus was asked what the greatest law in all the Word of God was. Jesus could have responded with anything. He could have given a list of things to do, He could have spoken of behaviors, prayers, offerings, etc., but hear His response: 

Matthew 22:36-40 - "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." 

Jesus made it really simple. Out of all the laws and commands in the Bible, He narrowed it down to two things: Love the Lord your God. Love people. That’s it. No complicated checklist, just real, honest love.

And that’s what He’s calling us to do. When you genuinely love God and care for the people around you, people notice. They lean in. That kind of love is different, and it makes room for conversations that lead to Jesus.

So as you go about your day, start there. Love God. Show His love to others in how you speak, how you respond, and how you show up. You don’t have to have the perfect words; your life will speak for you. And sometimes, love is the loudest sermon someone will ever hear.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live my life for you and follow you wholeheartedly.  Help others to see Jesus in me so that my light would shine before men.  Help me to love you and other people more and more in my life.  I pray that others will come to know you and love you. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.