- Mandate is an official authorization given to someone to carry out a particular task.
- When we talk about the mandate of the church, we mean the task or the work that Jesus has commanded the church to do.
- In Matt.28:19-20, Jesus speaking to his disciples said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world". From this scripture, it is clear that Jesus commissioned the church to evangelize the world. Soul winning is the major work that Jesus has mandated the church to do.
- Jesus, in the house of Zacchaeus said, "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). The same work Jesus came to do is what he has commanded the church to carry out. In John 20:21, Jesus said, "As my father hath sent me, even so send I you". If Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, the church is also mandated to carry out the same work.
- Furthermore, in Mark 16:15, Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature". Preaching to every creature is the heartbeat of our Lord Jesus Christ. He want's the church to make sure that the gospel is heard by every creature. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, he asked them to follow him and that he would make them fishers of men. They left their fishing profession and became fishers of men(Matt.4:19-20).
- More so, Luke in his account said, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem"(Luke 24:47). The church is to preach the gospel to all nations. Without the preaching of the gospel, men will not come to the consciousness of their need for repentance. Repentance brings about the remission or the forgiveness of sins.
- Finally, Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments"(John 14:15). Without love, the church will not be able to carry out God's commandments. Matt.22:37 says, "Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind". The church should be committed to the preaching of the word and world evangelization. By doing this, it shows that they love God and they are committed to the accomplishment of the great commission.
Love is a deliberate action of the heart.
It goes beyond thoughts and feelings. It has to do with the will.
Love is unconditional. It does not depend on anything. It is not a product of action demonstrated by someone. It is by choice.
Love goes beyond the state of heart to a physical expression and exhibition of what lies in one's heart. Love which depends on beauty, wealth, handsomeness, money and outward display will not last.
What keeps love ever-fresh is, you love because God commands it. You do not need to love someone because he is good. Even when someone is bad, you still love the person.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). God did not love us because we are good. Even when we are bad or good, he still loves us. As light of the world, we are to do likewise.
Faith can be defined as a strong confidence in God and in His word.See the power of faith below :
1. Faith calls unseen things in to existence (Heb.11:3): In Gen.1:3, God called light into existence. We are made in the image and likeness of God. He has given us power to act likewise. whatever you say from your mouth is like a seed sowed which germinates and bears fruits(Pro.18:21)
2. It compels one to offer an excellent sacrifice (Heb. 11:4): By faith Abel offered an excellent sacrifice. Without faith, it will be impossible to offer a perfect sacrifice. Every acceptable sacrifice has a high price. If you look at the cost, you may not be able to offer it. What motivates one to give a worthy sacrifice inspite the high value of it, is faith.
3. Faith delivers from death (Heb. 11:5): Enoch did not experience death as a result of his faith. The just shall live by his faith (Rom.1:17). Untimely death can be terminated when faith is enforced. When one exercises his or her faith on God's word concerning longevity, he or she releases the power of faith which terminates premature death.
4. It's a ticket to pleasing God (Heb. 11:6): The requirement for pleasing God is faith. All our righteousness is as a filthy rags (Is.64:6). No man is righteous enough to please God. Exercising our faith in the finished work of Christ qualifies us to please God. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph.2:8).
5. It makes one to obey God's instructions (Heb. 11:7-8): As a result of Abraham's faith, he obeyed God's word when he was called out of his father's house. When one does not believe in what God says, it will be difficult for such to obey his command.
6. Faith qualifies one to be righteous (Heb.11:7): Noah became heir of righteousness by his faith. In the sight of God, righteousness can only be obtained by faith.
7. Faith takes and makes one to possess his promise land (Heb.11:9): Without faith one cannot take delivery of what belongs to him. Faith compels you not to give up even when you are faced with opposition. Caleb, at the age of eighty five was able to defeat the descendants of Anak and took possession of his inheritance by his faith. When you go for what is yours by faith, you will always come back with testimony.
8. Faith terminates barrenness (Heb.11:11): Sarah's womb received strength to conceive at old age through faith. Faith has power to turn every unfruitfulness to fruithfulness.
