Marching orders are instructions from a superior officer to move on, to depart on a mission. As Christians, our marching orders are clearly spelled out in Scripture. Jesus, our Commanding Officer, 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 alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Our marching orders include preaching, teaching, baptizing, giving instructions in righteousness and teaching new disciples to follow Jesus. Jesus promises that He will accompany those who extend His ministry in all ages.

While the mechanics of teaching about God are important, it is essential to get the message right. While there are thousands of churches teaching about God, there is still misunderstanding in our world about Him.

Ellen White puts it this way: "It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth" (Christ's Object Lessons, 415).

"The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love" (ibid).

Our message is to be "illuminating in its influence and saving in its power." We are to reveal God's love. Does our salvation depend on our view of God? If we see him as exacting, vengeful and capricious, we will not trust Him or come to Him. Our marching orders are centered on a complete message from God that is not only accurate, but one that lovingly leads to God.

The core message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is found in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Paul's preaching centered on this message (see 1 Cor. 15:1-4). God's love for fallen humanity would not allow Him to leave us in the position that Adam's sin plunged us into. God showed His great commitment to us by giving his one and only Son to die for our sins. That is love. Whenever I think about God's great sacrifice for us, for me, I am more than humbled.

God's love will draw people to Him. Of course, God's love is demonstrated within a relationship that is not permissive, but empowering. God's goodness, mercy and truth are to be the focus of our teaching, preaching and doing.

As we focus on sharing with others about His true character, as we lift up Christ in love, people will be drawn to Him and saved.

A dear friend of mine once said that we can pick, choose or refuse many things in life. And it is true spiritually. We can choose to follow Christ or we can reject Him. The choice is ours. But if we do not refuse, and we exercise the power of choice for God, we will be drawn to Him. "The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist, he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son" (Steps to Christ, 27).

Why would we choose anything less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness? Why would we not share Him with others by getting the message straight?