A Gospel Story

Do you have a gospel story? The gospel for the Apostle Paul was more than just theological statements. It was something that radically changed his life. Paul was once someone who "persecuted the church of God and violently tried to destroy it" (Gal. 1:13). He then became someone known for "preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy" (Gal. 1:23). The root of Paul's transformation was the gospel (Gal. 1:14-15).

It is important to remember that Paul was not a pagan before his conversion. Yes, he was persecuting the church, but he was doing this out of a desire to keep Judaism pure. He thought he was honoring God by doing this. The pre-conversion Paul was a very "moral" person. He was a respected and rising Pharisee. In fact, Paul says he was "zealous" for the moral traditions of Judaism.

I point this out because we often associate the gospel with simply living a good moral life. So and so was a heathen, but now they live a good life. Many think if you live a good moral life, then you are a good Christian. The reality is that you can live a good moral life without Jesus or any understanding of the gospel. The highly moral person needs Jesus as much as the biggest heathen. For Paul, the gospel was never about simply living a good moral life. Instead, it was about realizing that living a moral life would never be sufficient to save him. He knew that no amount of good works could ever overcome the depths of his sinfulness. Reflecting on the gospel always lead Paul to remember his own sinfulness and inability to save himself. This is why he would later write that he was "chief" among all sinners.

When you think about the gospel, do you think about all the great things you do for God? If so, that is not the gospel but legalism. Reflecting on the gospel should always lead you to remembering the depths of God's grace; and how He saved someone who was unworthy and unable to save themselves. That was Paul's gospel story. What is yours?

In Christ Alone,
Cory

The Gospel and 9/11

We are fast approaching the tenth anniversary of the events that comprised 9/11. Media outlets are putting out countless stories reflecting on the dramatic events of that day, and the ten years that have followed. No doubt, many are recounting where they were and what they were doing on that day. I can vividly recall the events of that September day. I was living in Burkina Faso, West Africa at the time, in a small Marense village named Zomkalga. The village did not have electricity, so my only access to outside news was a short-wave radio that I would listen to each night. My first account of the attacks actually came from a Marense friend, who happened to be listening to a news program in French. He approached me and informed me that something was happening in America. The literal translation of what he told me in the Marense language was, "An eagle has fallen on the big house in New York and Washington, D.C." Needless to say, it wasn't until I was able to find the BBC on my short-way radio that I  understood the fullness of what he was saying.

Ten years later, the memory remains as fresh as if it were yesterday. The question is, as these memories are revived, are there any connections between remembering 9/11 and the gospel? I think there are several, but two stand out in particular. The first is the reminder that we live in a fallen world. As Americans, we have a tendency to forget that there are billions of people filling our planet that live outside of the United States.  In remembering 9/11, it is easy to forget that we are not alone in national tragedies. There were nearly 3,000 people killed in the airplane attacks and aftermaths of 9/11. Since that time  4,474 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq, while over 100,000 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives. Another 1,584 U.S. military personnel have died in Afganistan. The 2004 tsunami in Asia took over 230,000 lives, while the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan killed 15,690 (nearly 5,000 people are still unaccounted for). In recent months, over 29,000 children under 5 years old have died in Somalia as a result of starvation. The United Nations warns that another 750,000 people are currently in danger of dying in East Africa as a result of the famine. While we mourn the lives lost on 9/11, we must remember that we are not alone. We live in a fallen, sin-plagued world. It is a world that groans for the redemption and restoration that is ultimately promised in the gospel. Suffering and death are realities that we share with all humanity, regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

The second is the reminder that the gospel is ultimately our only hope. Americans are consumed with security and safety. The events of 9/11 have put that value on steroids. We spend billions each year on security measures, abroad and stateside. I am thankful for the men and women who dedicate their lives to helping the United States be a safer place to live. However, the gospel demands that my ultimate hope be in the gospel that promises life after this one, not in their ability to protect me. When our eyes turn from eternity, only this life is left for us.  The result is being totally consumed with "security and safety" in this earthly life. The words of Jesus are strikingly applicable here, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). Have no fear for what terrorists can do, and avoid putting all hope in the limited ability of the government and civil servants to protect you. As long as the root of war remains, which is sin, there will be wars and rumors of wars. It is possible that all earthly possessions are taken from us. Fear not.  Instead, cast your hope in the gospel that promises eternal security and rest in the presence of King Jesus.

As we remember 9/11, let us remember that deeper biblical truths it points us to.

In Christ,
Cory

The Promise of the Gospel

There are many ways in which the gospel can be distorted. In the case of the churches of Galatia, the problem was that some were adding to the gospel. Specifically, some where teaching that you must be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul is clear, this addition by the false teachers results in a different gospel than what he was preaching (Gal. 1:6-10). A gospel that is added to is no gospel at all.

Unfortunately, adding to the gospel continues today. One of the ways we like to add to the gospel is in regard to the promise of the gospel. We like to change the singular "promise" to a plural "promises". Some may not directly do this, however, we often assume added promises in our minds. It generally goes something like this, "I thought I was being a good Christian. I don't understand why (insert undesirable situation) is happening to me?" The undesirable situation could be various things (sickness, job problems, financial problems, family issues, etc.). 

When we think this way, we are adding promises to the gospel. Does the gospel promise perfect health? Does the gospel promise financial prosperity? Does the gospel promise a removal of all difficult family issues? Does the gospel promise you will never suffer? Does the gospel promise hurricanes will not flood or destroy your house? Does the gospel promise we will get promotions over non-believers? The gospel promises none of these things in our earthly lives.

What then, does the gospel promise? The promise of the gospel is, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). The call of faith is a call to trust in that promise. The gospel is the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham to make a people for Himself from all peoples (Gen. 12:3; 15:5). Through faith we are Christ's. If we are Christ's, then we are Abraham's offspring, and therefore, "heirs according to promise" (Gal. 3:29).

In the gospel, we are promised God. Nothing more, nothing less. It needs no additions.

In Christ,
Cory