Why Did the Roman Church Need to Hear the Gospel Again
"Adept morn! This is the gospel, it'southward gratuitous," the heart-aged man said brightly as he extended a tract titled "If Only" to the lady walking ahead of me.
When she shook her caput, he turned to me and offered the same tract. "And you?" Giving him a slight smile, I shook my caput too and quickened my pace. "That tract is meant for non-Christians. I'chiliad already a Christian, I know what's in that tract and I don't need it," I told myself.
Well-nigh immediately, the cocky-reproach began. "What'southward incorrect with going through the gospel again? When's the last time I heard the gospel? Do I really know the gospel? " Ashamed, I made a mental note to accept a tract if I was offered i once again.
Some weeks have passed since that episode, but in the atomic number 82 up to Good Fri, I found myself revisiting the question: Is the gospel only meant for non-Christians?
My simple answer is: No. In fact, I'd become and then far to say that the more we Christians recall that we're doing okay, the more we need to hear the gospel. Here's three reasons why.
one. Nosotros fluctuate – because we become dislocated by what the world tells u.s..
Like it or not, accepting Jesus into our lives and proclaiming Him as Lord doesn't mean our problems will just disappear. Our struggles with sin, frustrations with nasty bosses or colleagues, and disappointments with dysfunctional families volition however exist. Natural calamities and debilitating illnesses volition nonetheless plague us.
Against this challenging backdrop, we also take to fence with voices that threaten to sway united states in opposite directions. "You're a failure," detractors might say when we tin't stop sinning. "Don't try to alter yourself, you're perfect," the world volition tell us one moment later. But when our addictions and the weight of our guilt hound u.s.a., we will hear it once more, "You're not proficient enough." Equally the wheel repeats itself, we become deflated and defeated.
In a world of irresolute values and morals, we need to hear the unchanging bulletin of the gospel over and again. We need to exist reminded that God values united states of america not considering of our looks, abilities, credentials or family background, but just considering He made united states of america (Psalm 139:13–sixteen). We need to be reminded that God loves the states no matter how rotten nosotros've been, and He showed it by sending Jesus to die for us (Romans five:8). We need to be reminded that all nosotros're facing is temporary, and we have a glorious hope to look forward to (Romans 8:18).
Knowing the gospel well gives us a consistent basis in life.
2. We forget – considering we get distracted and discouraged (sometimes by the devil).
It'southward human being nature, unfortunately. Sure, in that location are times when, brought to our knees in repentance or gratitude for God's mercy and grace, we rededicate our lives to Him, promising to stop wasting our lives and to start using our time, effort, and coin for Him. And so, fired upward and hungry to practice something for God, we plunge headlong into acts of service to God.
But that'southward when the devil will put in extra effort to pull u.s. away from God at the slightest opportunity. This may come up in the form of two roadblocks: discouragement and distraction. Things may non go according to plan, everyday problems may ready in, or people nosotros hold in high regard may fail u.s.a., and nosotros lose heart. Or, the demands of work and family and the entreatment of worldly acclaim and success creep in, and we detect ourselves losing steam and losing focus.
The reality is that times like these will surely come. Jesus Himself said that His followers would be aggress by trials of every kind. How can nosotros cope and go along to live for Him? By cultivating a familiarity with the gospel. Reading information technology over and over again volition assist usa remember and cling on to God's truth in times of difficulty. When we understand the future glory that Jesus promises for u.s.a., we find strength to persevere in our nowadays challenges.
Don't worry, familiarity does not breed antipathy, as far as the Bible is concerned. In fact, the more acquainted and familiar nosotros are with the gospel, the more we will be strengthened and able to stand against the wiles of the devil and trials of the world (Ephesians 6:x-17).
Knowing the gospel well keeps us focused on living for God.
3. We autumn brusk – because we are withal sinful at heart.
Even though Adam and Eve enjoyed a relationship with God, they were still tempted past the things of this earth (Genesis iii:half-dozen). Isn't that a clear enough indicator that none of the states is immune to temptation?
Equally humans, we are carnal in nature and if we don't guard our five senses—taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight—nosotros will finish up being enticed into sin. I know how susceptible I am to covetousness and idolatry in my own life: I detect myself easily dissatisfied and envious of others who have more going for them in looks, abilities, and success. Although I know fully well that none of these things concluding, I discover myself taking time and effort to accelerate in those aspects instead of spending my time and effort on growing in my human relationship with God. Ironically, information technology makes me feel fifty-fifty more empty and inadequate.
But we may swing to the other extreme besides. We may read our Bibles daily, pray regularly, serve enthusiastically—and call up that we're okay considering nosotros don't actually accept "large" sins in our lives. We might even be tempted to believe that information technology's our skilful works that saved united states in the first place. At times, we might also recall nosotros're better than others, and approximate them for not being as faithful equally we are. Perhaps that'due south why Jesus devoted a major portion of his ministry to addressing the Pharisees' cocky-righteous attitudes.
No Christian is perfect. Merely when we immerse ourselves in the gospel, will we remember that information technology's not about what we can attain, but what Christ accomplished for united states of america. Colossians ii:6-7 reminds the states that being a Christian is not just about receiving Jesus into our lives. It's also about growing in our human relationship with Him.
Knowing the gospel well keeps our lives holy, considering we want to please Jesus.
Then how do we go about ensuring that we get a regular intake of the gospel? Preach the gospel to ourselves! Paul Tripp, an American pastor, writer and conference speaker, once said, "No one is more influential in your life than you lot are. Considering no one talks to y'all more than you practise."
This Good Friday, will you preach the Expert News to yourself over again?
Source: https://ymi.today/2016/03/3-reasons-why-christians-need-to-be-hearing-the-gospel-again/
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