I was with two groups that brought out an amazing contrast in how the gospel is perceived.
The first group consisted of Jesus followers who were discussing their relationship with God. Someone asked how many chose to follow Jesus in the “normal” way – realization of one’s sin, God’s hate of sin, certain punishment without Jesus, God’s love that substitutes punishing us with punishing Jesus, receiving that love, inexpressible joy, total transformation, fireworks and brass bands. Out of the 12-14 people, only two were “saved” in the “normal” manner.
The second group consisted of people who were learning the message of Jesus for the first time. God’s message was presented in the “normal” way.
A quick survey of the first group revealed a variety of method and motivations for following Jesus:
• An understanding of God’s nature and identity;
• Realization that only God can meet certain needs;
• Heart level longing for protection, companionship, purpose and meaning.
• Repugnance for the dysfunction of life.
The first group concluded that God pursues people with grace and not a formula. I have concluded long ago that “unmerited favor” is an inadequate and incomplete definition for grace. Grace is God meeting you where you are and supplying you with whatever you need. God’s supply is favor and unmerited. But God supplies with wisdom, forgiveness, understanding, friends, food and water, mission and emotional support by his grace.
Are we short changing the gospel by providing an incomplete message?
The first group consisted of Jesus followers who were discussing their relationship with God. Someone asked how many chose to follow Jesus in the “normal” way – realization of one’s sin, God’s hate of sin, certain punishment without Jesus, God’s love that substitutes punishing us with punishing Jesus, receiving that love, inexpressible joy, total transformation, fireworks and brass bands. Out of the 12-14 people, only two were “saved” in the “normal” manner.
The second group consisted of people who were learning the message of Jesus for the first time. God’s message was presented in the “normal” way.
A quick survey of the first group revealed a variety of method and motivations for following Jesus:
• An understanding of God’s nature and identity;
• Realization that only God can meet certain needs;
• Heart level longing for protection, companionship, purpose and meaning.
• Repugnance for the dysfunction of life.
The first group concluded that God pursues people with grace and not a formula. I have concluded long ago that “unmerited favor” is an inadequate and incomplete definition for grace. Grace is God meeting you where you are and supplying you with whatever you need. God’s supply is favor and unmerited. But God supplies with wisdom, forgiveness, understanding, friends, food and water, mission and emotional support by his grace.
Are we short changing the gospel by providing an incomplete message?
No comments:
Post a Comment