The Danger of the Subtle: Go and Make Disciples

The Threat We Don’t See

Let’s begin by defining the word “subtle” to quickly put you in the context of where this topic is going. The word comes from the Latin subtilis and is defined as something delicate, faint, thin, elusive, or penetrating.

In other words, something subtle can arrive without us perceiving it. It can plant itself in our lives, and we may not realize it until it is too late or too complicated to resolve. This doesn’t just apply to something that arrives; it can also be something that departs—a practice I stop doing, which I don’t notice is missing until the consequences appear.

With a clearer idea of the subtle, let’s go to the text. We won’t do a deep theological analysis of Matthew 28:18-20, but rather, we will take the explicit command that Jesus gives us to fulfill without deviation.

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)

The Unchanging Command

After fulfilling the purpose the Father assigned Him, Jesus received all authority for the rest of the redemptive work. Death has already been defeated. That is why a Christian with firm faith must be clear that when we “die” here, it is nothing more than a step into a better life; we literally pass into eternity where there is no more pain, anguish, or suffering.

The command is clear about what we must do as Christians: “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” (Matthew 28:19). We have to go; we are not to wait for people to come to us. We must go. But go where? To the nations—meaning everywhere, to the whole world. Jesus was more than clear; He did not exclude any nation.

The Call to Dependent Faith

You might think, “Times are different now; there are wars, there is Islam, there are problems in many nations, it is difficult to travel.” I am fully convinced that Jesus knew how times would be and how they would change. In fact, He even designated a specific way to carry out this work.

In Luke chapter 10:1-11, we see the Lord sending out the disciples two by two, which tells us that we should take at least one partner with us when doing the work of missions and/or evangelism. They are sent as lambs among wolves, meaning we will not find saints along the way, nor will the path be easy. Something that surely impacted the disciples was the command to go without a moneybag, knapsack, or sandals. In other words, they had to depend completely on faith that they would not lack what was necessary.

Now, because of the distances and the context of ministry today, we should probably go prepared with a bag and provisions. However, our dependence on Jesus and the Father in the work must not be undervalued. Our faith must be firm, strong, and persistent.

So, we are clear that we have to go, we know where we are going, and we know how we should prepare. But what are we going for?

The answer is even clearer and more precise in Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples…” Our objective is very clear, yet this is where subtlety has entered and interfered with this important goal.

The Subtle Shift: From Making Disciples to Gathering Believers

How has it interfered? That is a valid question. Let’s look at the answer.

Churches today, in an effort to grow in membership (and the desire for a congregation to grow is not a bad thing), have created a culture of “instant” or “microwave” Christians—made quickly, but lacking the depth and resilience that comes from being tested by fire. Where the Scriptures tell us we must be proven, this modern approach has created congregations that are spiritually weak and have a different focus than what the Scriptures show us. Why does this happen?

Because we have subtly shifted our focus from making disciples to simply gathering believers. A believer, for salvation, simply has to repent and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. That is the glorious entry point into eternal life. The danger is when our church culture treats this entry point as the final destination.

I have seen many who, after an emotional profession of faith, are celebrated and then simply encouraged to attend services. A year later, they are spiritually stagnant, filled with unanswered questions and doubts, because no one intentionally came alongside them to walk with them. This is the tragic outcome of a mission that stops at conversion.

A disciple, however, understands that this initial repentance and belief is the beginning of a lifelong journey. While things like attending Bible studies and giving offerings are not requirements for salvation, a disciple recognizes them as joyful responses and vital means to grow. They understand that we gather to learn and grow together in preparation for the mission, not just for our own growth in knowledge. A disciple longs to put their faith into practical and regular use. They know they are part of a body and have a function to perform. Their deepest desire is not just to be saved from hell, but to become more like Christ every day.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Our Primary Mission

And so we see the true nature of the danger of the subtle. It is not a loud, obvious heresy that threatens the church, but a quiet, subtle drift in our primary mission. We subtly replace the difficult, patient, life-on-life work of making disciples with the more measurable and instantly gratifying goal of simply gathering believers.

This subtle shift creates weak congregations, vulnerable to every wind of false doctrine. Now, to be clear, believers gathering for worship and fellowship is not just a good idea—it is a biblical command. The Scriptures exhort us not to abandon our gatherings, but to meet together to stir one another up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). The danger, therefore, lies not in the gathering itself, but in allowing the gathering to become the final goal. We can and must do one without neglecting the other. The calling of the church today remains unchanged from the beginning: to bring in God’s people through the preaching of the Gospel, and then, in the process of our life together, we must make disciples, preparing them to become disciple-makers who can repeat this task.

Let us be intentional in our work, so that the subtle danger of a lesser mission never takes root in our churches.

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What Can I Do Now?

Pray: Ask God to show you one person in your life whom you can begin to intentionally invest in. Ask for a heart that is willing to serve and help someone else grow.

Invite: Start simply. Invite that person for a coffee or a meal with the sole purpose of listening to their story and building a genuine relationship.

Read: Offer to read a book of the Bible together, one chapter at a time. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to start. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to be willing to discover them together.

Pastor Victor Dominguez