We've lost our sense of awe at the power of the cross. We no longer ponder what was done at the cross. We no longer cry at the thought of what Jesus did on the cross for us. The power of the cross has diminished. It has faded into the background. The Gospel is no longer our most potent medicine to cure the problems of the heart. The Gospel is like any other story to us. To some, the Gospel is dead.
The Gospel is not dead. It's living. It does not die. It is forever. Constant. Like a rock to grab onto in a storm. The Gospel should be transforming our lives. Instead, it sits on our book stand gathering dust. The Gospel, the Word of God, the passion of Christ in words, is no longer as intoxicating as the new movie, the new book, the relationship, the video game. We don't crave the Gospel like we crave our favorite food. We don't find the Gospel important because we spend so little time living it. The Gospel should be an all-consuming, transformation seen in a person's life. And we have lost that.
See the Gospel may seem small. It may seem like the Gospel is the prayer that "gets you into Heaven". The Gospel may seem to be the hell, fire, and brimstone sermon you heard and only by Jesus' death and resurrection can you be saved. The Gospel could be you realizing your need at home with family surrounding you. Your need for a Savior whom can offer eternal life
But the Gospel is so much more.
The Gospel is the way you treat that unbeliever. The Gospel is humbling yourself and allowing the other person to win. The Gospel is following your pastor and allowing him to lead even though you might not agree with every decision. The Gospel is giving God the glory each and every time you do something. The Gospel is needing no other affirmation for the things you are doing for ministry's sake, knowing that God sees you living the Gospel out in a practical way. The Gospel is being consistent and purposeful in the work you do everyday. The Gospel should be seen in everything. that. you. do. Christ-likeness should be radiating from your interactions with people, the choices you make, the way you carry yourself. The Gospel is an all consuming passion that Christians need to have.
And yet we don't.
It's that one decision we made that now means we are safe from hell. We continue on in our lives. Tweaking things here and there to make yourself look like a Christian but your heart looks no different before you received the Gospel. The Gospel should make you want to pursue God like a camel pursuing water in a desert. The Gospel should make you long for a relationship with Jesus that is unlike any other relationship you have ever had. The Gospel should transform you so that when people see you, they wonder what they need to do to attain the happiness that you radiate. And through you, you show them the Gospel and the relationship they can have with Christ.
The Gospel should be something that every Christian is striving for.
And yet we go on living.
As if the most powerful change that could ever happen- didn't.
So this is my challenge to you, as I have been challenged, pursue what a Gospel living life looks like. Look at Paul and the way that he lived the Gospel out in every day of his life. Look at how Jesus was the walking Gospel. Challenge yourself to become more like Jesus and by becoming more like Jesus, you become more like the Gospel. Because the Gospel is not a one and done deal. It's a passionate relationship that is wholly satisfying because you are seeped in Christ's love and living like Jesus did every day of His life.
Live the Gospel. Be the Gospel. Because when the Gospel is seen, other lives are transformed. When the Gospel is lived, people become insignificant and Christ is exalted. The Gospel is exalting Christ and that can only happen if Christians are living humbly so that the Gospel may be reflected through them.
Start living like the Gospel actually is truly the most important thing you can ever receive.
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