Language is an oddity in the way it evolves so frequently. I don't think it's a coincidence that the English language changes as often as pop culture. Language is pulled under a tidal wave of the trends, fads, and philosophies that steer our country. Words, in many cases, have been literally redefined. For example, in this culture, most would not admit to being "gay" after their favorite team won. It doesn't matter if one meant "happy" because most would understand something totally different! This is the nature of language and a reality one has to deal with.
In most cases, this is not something to get bent out shape over. But when it comes to Biblical words, we need to be concerned. One of Satan's strategies over the past 150 years has been to bring confusion to the church. One of his methods involves the lost meanings of Biblical words. The one word seemingly under the biggest attack is "gospel". Interestingly enough, the definition of gospel as "good news" has been left intact, however there is much confusion in the church today over what this good news really is!
If one goes to enough churches, you are bound to hear many different versions of the gospel. It's not only the content of the message that brings confusion, but it is often the methods used to communicate the message. One of the methods is to appeal to your will. It is assumed that with enough will power on our part, we can attain to God's holy standard. The Bible, however, is clear that "all have sinned and come short of God's glory." No matter how much I grit my teeth, I can not will myself to do what is right in God's eyes. There's an old theological word that is losing steam. Depravity. Depravity is the spiritual condition of everyone who has ever been born, except Jesus Christ. It sounds offensive to say someone is depraved doesn't it? In our culture, this term seems to be reserved for child molesters and serial killers, but in a spiritual context it describes us all, and that offends us. No one wants to be considered depraved because deep down we don't think we're as bad as the worst humans on the planet. But to be depraved simply means that our human nature doesn't allow us to seek after God. We are by nature slaves to sin and self-absorbed. Part of our depraved condition includes our "will". No matter how hard we try our human will wants no part of God. Rick Warren uses a great illustration of how will-power is like trying to manually steer a speed boat which is on auto-pilot. You can manage to steer the boat for a while, but ultimately the auto-pilot takes over. Our will is on auto-pilot. Only God's grace can free us from our will. This is why hearing a message that appeals to your will is hopeless.
Another version of the gospel is the one that seems to combat the first one. Instead of appealing to the will, this one appeals first to the heart, or the emotional side. Sometimes referred to as a prosperity gospel, this message attempts to make people feel good about themselves by teaching that God wants a better life for you. Sadly, it is assumed that financial and moral well-being is the key to happiness. It shies away from the sufferings of this life. It completely ignores the fact that suffering in this life is a key component of salvation and eternal life. It twists abundant life of peace and joy into external happiness heavily based on moralism. (If we would only study the lives of the saints in the Bible and even the ones since, we would discover badly flawed human beings that endured much suffering.)
As Christians, we are not to run away from pain. We're not to pray away the pain. I'm not suggesting we seek after pain and suffering however, I'm saying we need to run to Christ in the midst of our pain! When we live our lives trying to avoid hardship, we live our lives apart from Christ! Trying to avoid pain is a state of unbelief, an admission that we can do something to ease out from underneath it. This is why people seek refuge in everything besides God. They seek joy in possessions, career advancement, parenting, substance abuse, sexual relationships, entertainment, and many others! This is why a gospel that appeals to our emotions will fail every time.
So, we see that a gospel that appeals to the heart and will is futile. In contrast, the true Gospel appeals first to the mind. Surely, it doesn't stop there, but this is the entry point of true salvation. We have to remember that Gospel has a progressive effect on us. There is a sequence that must be honored. Faith comes to us through physical means, that is our hearing. Gospel is truth, and truth must be heard and processed in the mind before it can break our hearts and affect our will! Sadly, there are many who hear the Gospel and hold it in their mind. They can recite the gospel back to you with truthful precision, but they really don't know the gospel.
Do you want to know if a gospel is really the true Biblical gospel? The way to test this is two-fold. First, the message has to reveal your soul to you. In other words, you have to come to a realization that you're ruined and only God can save you! So many people believe this in theory, but still strive to earn God's grace which is something you just can't do! The 2nd aspect of a Biblical gospel is that once you see your soul for what it is, and I mean really see it, then it will reveal God to your soul! A gospel that leaves you hopelessly lost in your sin is no gospel at all. We need the 2nd half of the equation. God enters the soul and in one fell swoop takes away your sin, not just your guilt, and begins a new life of ongoing purification! This is what we call the new birth.
As John Piper reminds us, the Gospel message is not just for unbelievers, it is for believers as well! The Gospel is the motivation behind everything! If you want real joy in your soul, and if you want to really be a better you, than you need Gospel motivation! We need the Gospel to drive us to despair. Then and only then will our lives change. The gospel is not a magic formula, it is not a script we repeat in order to get saved. It is the truth that we are nothing without Christ, and everything with Him!
I don't know why God chose to use this simple message to redeem us in such a supernatural way. I don't know why He uses simple people to deliver this simple message. It's not clever or cutting edge. It's just the Truth, and somehow it just works!
As believers of this Gospel, what can we do? Are you ready to be offended? Nothing. There is nothing we can do. We are to receive it, first by hearing, and reasoned in the mind, but not stopping there it will humble our hearts and break our rebellious spirits, and finally free us from our wills.
The gospel not only justifies sinners, it sanctifies believers, and one day it will glorify us into the very likeness of Christ!! Now that's GOOD NEWS!!
