“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Ever noticed how the most recited evangelistic verse is actually the Gospel in a nutshell? It begins with asserting God’s love, not His wrath. It’s not about judgment but salvation. Why? because the world is already lost/condemned. That is why Jesus came. People don’t need to be told that they are wicked and damned. They need to know that they are loved and that there IS HOPE and salvation in Christ! But here is the thing, they need to not only hear it but most importantly, SEE it, in us!
Remember, unless the Holy Spirit brings conviction to the heart, responding to the Gospel out of fear or emotion is of no avail. So, be careful that your message is not just about repentance and hellfire nor about love and positive thinking only, for neither can save! Yes, the Gospel message should include the truth about eternal separation from God, but it must FIRST emphasize God’s unconditional love, His grace, eternal life, and the assurance that ONLY through faith in Christ can true peace be achieved and experienced in the midst of chaos.
People are not deaf to the Gospel as many believe, what they are is confused because they HEAR it but seldom WITNESS it. They have trouble identifying real love, peace, hope, and trust. That’s because on one hand you have the church either busy judging them, hiding within the walls of a building, bickering among each other, or simply living religiously and apathetically. And on the other hand, you also have those who convey (with their lifestyle) that there really is no difference between being a Christian and just a good loving person. Talk about mixed messages!
People have enough bad news, biased news, and fake news. What they need is real GOOD NEWS. They need the message of the true Gospel not only preached to them but lived out! They need assurance not chastisement, transformation not inspiration.
Let’s become effective agents of the Good News of Jesus Christ by creating an environment where godly faith can be witnessed (in us) then planted, watered, and allowed to grow (in others). Keep in mind, however, that faith cannot be forcefully germinated. Such an action will only yield dead crops and the church is already full of those!
Can you think of ways in which the world can SEE the true Gospel, especially in times like these? I’d like to read your answers in the comment section below.
Words To Ponder by J.R. 
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Love for one another. Examples can be…listen to the conversations around you to see if we can give an encouragement! One day while walking through the Grocery store. I saw and overheard an overwhelmed young mother. She had two or three small children with her. She looked and sounded so tired. I felt led to stop and go back to her (she was waiting on line) I said “Hi…. your children are so beautiful and I understand how difficult it is… she looked up. Smiled. I said. Enjoy them. They grow fast. She said thank you. Her face looked different. I believe little things go far when done in obedience to Jesus. We can allow God to give people hugs and encouragement….if we are listening to His Spirit.
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Amen! What the world needs now (more than ever) is love, God’s love. A love that begins with sympathy and empathy. One that offers what nothing else in this world can. Then, of course, they must be discipled in order to grow. Admonition and correction are for those who are already in the family not for the world who still need to make peace with God. Your obedient response to the Holy Spirit’s lead could have very well opened a door for her to be more sensitive to God’s voice when someone else presents her with the Gospel.
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Amen. I pray so. 🙏🏻
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