God has been talking a lot lately. What's he been saying?
An assumed gospel is a dangerous one.
We Americans have a horrible habit of assuming that everyone around us has already heard the Gospel; that everyone has a clear understanding of what God has done for us through Christ; that to be an American is to know (about) Jesus. But does everyone know the right Jesus?
I didn't. And it wasn't because they didn't preach about Him on Sundays, either. But Monday through Saturday I was being exposed to a false Jesus- one who was comfortable and conformed. One who was powerless and a thing of the past. A Bible-belt Jesus…. the worst kind of Jesus…. a watered down version of the Real Deal.
North Korea is known as the most dangerous country for Christians. But, in my opinion, it might be just as dangerous to be a Christian in America. Not because your earthly life is at stake, but because your eternal one is. Buying in to the wrong Gospel and the wrong Jesus is not going to save your life, and I'm afraid that is what many of us have done. We think we're safe because we're born into it. We think we're saved because we raised our hand.
Josh Patterson of The Village Church writes:
"The issue with an assumed gospel is that it is often too personal and, therefore, becomes private. The person who lives under the assumption of the gospel often knows how it relates to their life, but nobody else does. Their kids never see how the gospel affects decisions, arguments, finances, etc. Their neighbors never hear of the hope within. Their co-workers are left to wonder about what makes them different. Those who live under the assumed gospel often find it awkward to bring it up and talk about the work of Christ. Why? Because they never bring it up and learn to articulate the implications of Christ's work and their life.
On the contrary, those who are explicit about the gospel in their relationships have a different effect. By living out the gospel and speaking about the gospel and working through the gospel (verbally), they are helping to connect the dots for those around them. Their kids hear how the gospel relates to the family finances or time or relationships or arguments. Their neighbors hear about the hope within. Co-workers are privy to the reality that this person is not simply a moral guy/girl, but one who is forgiven and transformed by the death and resurrection of Christ.
I want to encourage you to begin, and with some of you, continue to make the gospel explicit in your relationships. Don't waste life by living an assumed gospel; rather, flesh it out and connect the dots for yourself and those around you. Talk with your spouse about how Christ's Person and work relates to everything. Pass this on to your kids. Mention Christ. Talk about Christ. Point to Christ. Relate to Christ. Oftentimes where the gospel is assumed, it is quickly lost."
I'll leave you (and myself) with this challenge…..
Be explicit. Be intentional. Share Jesus…. the real one.
