Two Purposes: Being With Christ, Being Sent Out

"In other words we are called first to abide with Christ and through abiding bear fruit for Christ!"

There's a tension that exists in the heart of every believer—a gap between who we are and who we're called to be. It's the space between our current reality and God's vision for our lives. And if we're honest, really honest, that gap can feel overwhelming.

The truth is, many of us have been taught a version of Christianity that revolves around church attendance, giving, and volunteering. We've been conditioned to believe that if we show up on Sundays, contribute financially, and help out when we can, we're fulfilling our Christian duty. But what if that's not the whole picture? What if there's a calling on our lives that's far more expansive, more challenging, and ultimately more fulfilling than we've been led to believe?

The Great Commission Isn't Optional
In Mark 3:13-19, we witness a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. He goes up on a mountain and calls twelve men to Himself—men who would become His apostles. This wasn't just a casual invitation to hang out. Jesus appointed them for two distinct purposes: first, that they might be with Him, and second, that He might send them out to preach and have authority over darkness.

This appointment wasn't unique to the twelve. Every believer has been called and commanded to live as a sent disciple of Christ. We are called to be lights in a dark world, salt of the earth, witnesses for Christ in this life. This isn't a suggestion or a calling reserved for the spiritually elite—it's a command.

Jesus didn't ask us for a favor. He died for us, secured our place in heaven, and then gave us a mission. The last and greatest command was to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe everything He commanded. This is the life every Christian is called to live—a life of being sent.

Why We Don't Live Sent Lives
So why don't we live this way? The reasons are numerous and deeply personal:

Some of us simply don't want to. We don't have the desire to serve Jesus in this capacity. We might want to want it, but the honest truth is that evangelism, discipleship, and being a witness just aren't high on our priority list.

Others have competing desires. We do want to be used by God, but we're choked out by the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things. Our hearts are divided, pulled in multiple directions, and the kingdom of God becomes just one priority among many rather than the supreme priority.

Some lack courage and boldness. We sense the Holy Spirit prompting us to pray for someone or share our faith, but fear paralyzes us. We don't know where to start or what to say.

Many feel disqualified by past sins or current struggles. We think our history is too dark or our present too messy to be used by God. How can we be lights when we feel there isn't enough light in our own hearts?

Still others struggle with doubt and weak faith. How can we share a confident faith when our own belief feels shaky?

These are real barriers. They're honest struggles. And here's what's beautiful: Jesus knew them all when He called His first disciples.

The Original Twelve: A Motley Crew
Look at who Jesus chose to launch His church:

Simon the Zealot was part of a violent revolutionary group. To join the Zealots, you had to murder a Roman soldier. This man was a killer, driven by rage and rebellion. Yet this same Simon would later preach to and love the very Romans he once murdered.

Thomas is famous for his doubt. He saw the resurrected Jesus and still didn't believe until he could physically touch the wounds. Yet Thomas eventually died as a martyr because his faith became so unshakeable.

James and John, the "Sons of Thunder," were angry, manipulative, and power-hungry. They literally asked Jesus if they could call down fire from heaven to kill people who mocked them. They used their mother to try to secure positions of power in God's kingdom. Yet John became known as the disciple whom Jesus loved and wrote extensively about love.

Peter was loud, arrogant, and impulsive. When he first encountered Jesus, he said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." He was the first to declare Jesus as the Messiah, but moments later tempted Jesus to sin, prompting Jesus to rebuke him as "Satan." Peter swore he would die for Jesus, then denied knowing Him three times in His darkest hour. Yet Peter preached the first sermon at Pentecost, leading 3,000 people to salvation, and eventually died crucified upside down for his faith in Christ.

These were not spiritual giants when Jesus called them. They were broken, sinful, doubting, ambitious, violent men with all the same struggles we face. Yet they became world-changers. How?

The Secret: Purpose One Enables Purpose Two
They didn't ignore the first purpose to rush into the second. Jesus appointed them first and foremost to be with Him. Before Peter ever preached at Pentecost, he sat at the feet of Jesus. Before John wrote Revelation, he leaned against the chest of Jesus.

Being with Jesus wasn't a religious ritual or spiritual discipline to check off a list. It was the primary purpose through which transformation happened. Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." He acknowledged that Peter wasn't there yet, but promised that time in His presence would change everything.

This is the rhythm of discipleship: You are with Jesus, then you're sent out. You spend time in His presence, then He gives you power as you go. You dwell with Him, then He gives you direction. You abide, and He transforms your very nature.

The reason many of us don't have a desire to serve Christ is because we haven't been spending time with Christ. Nobody comes out of the womb excited about the kingdom of God. We start off excited about life, success, comfort, and pleasure. But as we abide in Christ's presence—through His Word, through prayer, through worship, through Christian community—our desires begin to shift. What once thrilled us starts to fade, and what once seemed boring becomes our greatest joy.

The Invitation
Discipleship is not primarily about what you do for Jesus. Discipleship is primarily about who you become with Jesus.

Jesus is fully aware of every darkness in your life—your lack of boldness, your competing desires, your doubts, your struggles, your past. Yet Mark 3 tells us He fully desires you to come. He cannot wait to change you.

You don't need to have it all together. You don't need to be free from doubt or struggle. You don't need a seminary degree or perfect faith. You just need to show up in His presence consistently and let Him do the work of transformation.

Bring your doubts. Bring your anxieties. Bring your struggles and competing desires. Bring it all to Jesus. Abide with Him every day, and He will form, shape, empower, and guide you. Then you'll go out, probably fail a little, and come back. He'll continue the work. And before long, you'll have your own story: "I used to be this, but now I'm this."

The world is waiting for the transformed version of you that only time with Jesus can create. Will you accept the invitation to abide?