The Gospel: The Good News of Reconciliation ( Part 1)

Lately, a lot of my thoughts have been gravitating towards a lot of questions about the gospel. What is it? Why is it important to share? How does someone share it in a way that makes sense without downplaying vital aspects of it?

Back in college, I am not 100% sure why I shared the gospel. I knew it was important and it was something as Christians we were supposed to share. And I think God was definitely starting a fire in my heart, but as I continue to wrestle with it ( which I think will be something we do for the rest of our lives) I’m like how do I approach this now in post grad? I used to have this naive thought when trying to share with people around campus or even my parents, if I can just get all 5 points of the gospel - God, sin, Jesus died, Jesus resurrected… boom! My job is done! It’s like I felt good when I told someone about the gospel and would feel disappointed I didn’t share certain things. But I think that was kind of dangerous because I made people like projects rather than understanding the compassion and love Christ had. Not dismissing my efforts in college, because it’s been what, 8 months since I’ve graduated? Lol I haven’t gotten much wiser, but I think how and why I would share the gospel, especially in post grad life of this season, is becoming clearer.

Why share the gospel?

As I’ve been coming across small pockets of opportunities to share the gospel and even talk about Jesus with fellow believers at work, the beauty of the gospel shines more clearly. Because of the gospel, I’ve been given purpose. And at first I was wondering if that was selfish, but the whole point of Christ coming to this earth to live, die, and rise from the dead is for that very reason: to reconcile us to Himself and help us understand that God is our purpose. It’s a message of reconciliation that reflects God’s desire and love for the people of this world ( 2 Corith 5:14-21).

That’s why I share the gospel, people need to know this. There is hope in this dark world because our purpose goes beyond the lines of this world.

So how do I approach it?

Again, I thought it was about getting through the facts and asking them if they want to accept. But I honestly think that’s selling the gospel very short. But it also depends on the situation, time, it all kind of depends and needs wisdom/discernment on who you are talking with. But I think the coolest picture is when Jesus sat and talked with tax collectors ( Matthew 9:9-13). Jesus was relational and can be seen so clearly in so many encounters. To keep it short, it’s the way Jesus came to this earth ( which is mind blowing) in all humility as a helpless babe but had the fullness of God? Nah, He set that aside and counted it as nothing and lived the hardships and temptations of life just like we did ( Phil 2:5-8/ Heb 4:15). Or when Jesus ( uh my favorite) saw a woman, He first reveals that 1. He knows her (4:16-19) deeply or when Jesus weeps for his friend Lazerus (John 11:33). As I see how Christ is not just the miracle worker who was raised from the dead, He is also the one who cares so deeply about the people He encountered when He was on the earth and has that same exact heart for those on earth now. So I do my best to get to know the person ( if time allows) and then somehow represent the hope of the gospel. Now all that to say, this is my desire to approach it, I fail many times and someone who fears man a lot. SO this is hard for me, I constantly fear what they think of me and even my own faith being judged by people within the church. But the craziest part is, God chose to reveal Himself through the use of scared, fearful, sinful people and that is the only way the gospel will be shared. There is no plan B and one pastor said something so profound, this life. This life right now, is the only temporary time we have to share the gospel because once we are in heaven, that’s it.

So the encouragement is to make disciples as you are going through this thing called life. As you walk, talk, think, read, pray, may your desire of your heart be rooted in the hope of Christ that has given us reconciliation.

Let’s be agents of change by the power of God who’s the only One that can create change.