Gloriously Robust Gospel

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

Gloriously Robust Gospel

The Gospel is simple.

The Gospel is central.

The Gospel is foundational.

The Gospel is glorious.

Paul encourages us to keep the Gospel front and center: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

The Bible tells us that, while there are many different callings and many possible areas of service in the kingdom of God, one transcendent truth should define our lives. One simple truth should motivate our work and affect every part of who we are.

Christ died for our sins.

If there’s anything in life that we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate in thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And only the gospel ought to be.”[i]

Agreed.

The Gospel in its simplicity has many facets. For example,

One ministry may focus primarily on Jesus’ death for our sins.  Another on the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power. Still another may focus on God’s love for people. And another on identity.  And a fifth on the necessity of faith.  All necessary. All true. All glorious.

The Gospel is not one of these things, it is all these things and more.  It is gloriously robust and has wide-reaching impact for sanctification and life transformation.

Christ died for sins and He also rose to life.

Christ defeated death and He also gave us His life.

God loves with an everlasting love and He also punishes evil.

The righteous shall live by faith and they also bear fruit of righteousness.

We are in Christ and He is also in us.

If I lean towards focusing on one part of the Gospel or another it can distort Gospel truth.  Paul “did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” Acts 20:27. We too should be careful to keep the whole counsel of God in mind.

I want to be constantly aware that the Gospel is not only one thing but is gloriously robust and impacts every area of life. God is in the process of radically, dramatically and totally transforming us into the image of His Son through the truth and power of the whole Gospel. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son… Romans 8:29

He is using ALL of it, every facet, to accomplish His plan and purpose.

 

[i] C. J. Mahaney. The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing. Multnomah Publishers. 2002.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23