As I continue to study, understand and live the Gospel (Good News), I’ve been continually challenged by the fact that the Gospel isn’t a series of moralistic teachings. Somehow, I think we, the [church], have slipped into that too often and when we do, we send a very dangerous message. The message goes something like this: God wants you to be a better dad or mom or son or daughter or husband or wife or worker or employer or steward or prayer or reader or faster or ….. And, if you are a better “something” then you are a better Christian and God notices you more or loves you more or accepts your more. We don’t say this overtly, but when you boil it down, that’s really what is being communicated.
When the church teaches this, I see this happen: Guy (or girl) comes to [church]. Learns he needs to do better. Does good for a while. Then, he starts messing up again. Concludes church doesn’t work. Leaves. Or, he keeps coming and is constantly trying to “grind his way” to heaven. Or, he is really good at being good and somehow his relationship with God is built on him being a good guy. He then thinks less of those who are not as good at being good as he is. (Tim Keller wrote a powerful little book called, Prodigal God, that addresses this issue.) He becomes proud, yet completely insecure in his salvation because, afterall, his salvation is built on his own good works. Bottom line is this…being good enough for God is a heavy burden to carry. An impossible one.
I’m learning more each day (I hope) that the Gospel is really all about God, the Cross, Jesus and the Spirit. It is about God’s redemptive work in this world. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with ANYTHING I do. The Gospel cannot be added to or taken away from. It cannot be categorized. It isn’t about being moral…it is purely grace, an undeserved gift to men and women. Will the Gospel have the effect of creating a more loving, caring, giving, and courageous person? It should. But being good won’t earn you the grace of the Gospel. I pray that the church doesn’t send the message that Gospel is about making you a good guy or girl. It is about breaking you down and bringing you to a place of total surrender and then releasing you to do more for His name than you could ever ask think or imagine. Being a good person is a cheap imitation of the Gospel-centered life. Don’t settle for anything less than being broken at the foot of the Cross and fully embracing the Gospel. There, you become part of the unstoppable force that the Church is designed to be.
As I read the Gospel accounts…I am fascinated by what I missed for so many years. I am not negating the writings of Paul…but…somehow they have completely overshadowed the life and teachings and ministry of Jesus. Which for me, is a huge part of the good news. I think Jesus thought so as well. (o:
I especially have been challenged by what the authors of those synoptic books as well as Jesus himself said in regards to ‘the good news’. While it is arguably true the Gospel isn’t about ‘just’ being moral…it never was about easy ‘beliefism’ either. There was certainly never a ‘prayer’ attached that by saying it made ione either ‘in’ or ‘out’ as we so often practice today.
It seems to me (at least in my limited 35 year experience as a follower of Jesus)that there is an incompleteness as to what we now defend and sell as the gospel or good news of Jesus. It so simple and yet truly living the gospel is one of the most difficult things I have ever done.
joy…agree that living the Gospel, namely putting others before self, is very difficult. Yet Jesus says the burden is light…and it is, because there is nothing we have to do to earn His love. The is nothing we need to “know” to know His love.
wow!! Good Stuff.
brent…thanks for stopping by. glad the post spoke to you. sorry for the tardy reply, btw…been moving since returning from nyc on wednesday!