Who Needs the Gospel?

Easy answer: EVERYONE!

But is that how we live? Do we share it as though we believe it? Or have we decided that some need it more than others? Are we compelled by Christ's love or controlled by our own insecurities?

Here are some wise words from my brother, Justin, on some of our natural shortcomings when proclaiming the gospel. He has incredible insight into Jesus’ teachings, both in interpretation and application, so you will do well to read what he has to say. Get ready to be challenged!

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In the past few months I have seen myself really grow in my willingness to share my faith. I have participated in prison ministry, international student ministry, and have even witnessed to the occasional homeless person. While I feel I am being obedient to Christ’s command by ministering to the poor, the alien and the imprisoned, I can’t help but notice all these people fit into the same category. They all are on a lower socio-economic rung than me. Given this fact it is easy for me to approach them because I do not fear their judgment or rejection. Some may see this position as bigoted or at least small minded. I think it’s just human nature. But just because it may come natural to me to think this way does not mean I should not war against it with every fiber of my being.

I recently heard a sermon by Matt Chandler where he candidly ran down a list of things that drove him crazy in regards to his congregation. One of them was, and I am paraphrasing here, why they cannot get to the place where they minister to those people who are closest to them in their lives, i.e. friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. When I heard him say this my soul was pricked and I was immediately convicted of my pattern of similar behavior. I cannot think of the last time, if ever, I told one of my friends, neighbors, or co-workers about Christ. I’ve invited a few people to church and I’ve made it known that I am a Christian. However, in the buckle of the Bible belt that’s not really saying much. What does it say about my faith if I am not willing to share it with those I am close to and enjoy spending time with the most? Moreover, what does it say about the lack of transformation in my heart and mind that I am only willing to share my faith with those whose rejection I do not fear? If I have the best news on earth and if I believe everyone could benefit from hearing it why wouldn’t I tell everyone about it? The question really is do I believe I have the best news on earth or is it only the best news for those who have little to no hope of finding fulfillment anywhere else? I feel I may have reduced the gospel to a “last resort” for those who have little hope of accumulating the wealth or achieving the notoriety I have the opportunity to accumulate and achieve. It’s like I am saying “If you can’t be like me then you can settle for being like Christ.” How crazy, if not outright blasphemous, is that!?

I am not ashamed of my position in life. I do not bemoan the fact that I have been blessed to live in the greatest country at the greatest time in the history of mankind, and I do not wallow in self-pity whining about the money with which God has chosen to bless my family. I believe doing so would be just as much of an affront to God as it would to whine about having too little. I do believe, however, that just as being poor can cause one to doubt God’s presence, being rich can drive one to doubt the need for Him altogether. If I bemoan anything it is that no matter how much I have there will always be a way for me to marginalize God’s presence in my life.

As I have been mulling over these thoughts for the past few weeks the Holy Spirit has led me back to Christ in the scriptures. I have been inspired to go back and look at the instances where Christ, a peasant carpenter from an economically depressed region, boldly proclaimed the good news to everyone no matter their socio-economic status. Now I know some of you are going to say, “Yeah, but he was God!” which is true. However, one of the greatest miracles regarding Christ is that while he was fully God He was also fully man, meaning He had all the feelings, urges, and temptations you and I have every day. We know from the scene in the garden that Christ had fear. We know he ate, slept, and drank just like you and I, and we know He grieved like you and I grieve. It only stands to reason that there were times where He had to overcome a fear of rejection and/or persecution too. So what was it that made Christ soldier on as if He had nothing to lose? The Gospel of course, and because He truly believed the good news He preached He truly believed He had nothing to lose and could only gain by sharing it.

In John 3 we see Jesus having a conversation with Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish religious ruling class, where they are discussing salvation and specifically the concept of being “born again”. This has always been an interesting passage to me as it contains the simplest plainspoken synopsis of the gospel in verses 16 and 17, and at the same time muddies the spiritual waters with this concept of being “born again.” In a nutshell Jesus is trying to get Nicodemus to understand that in order to be saved new life has to be established. In his current life he lived in response to the flesh. Fleshly desires, urges and inclinations guided his actions. Yes, he could probably curb those desires for short periods of time, but ultimately he would return to them. In his new life he would live in response to the spirit. The spirit of God would guide his actions, and those actions, by and large, would all bring glory to God. Jesus goes on to explain the only way to become born of the spirit is to believe in the Son of God and the power of His sacrifice.

My point here is not really to break down the theological points of this passage. My point is more to display the fact that Jesus spoke plainly no matter His audience, never tickling their ears, and always speaking truth. The fact of the matter is Nicodemus had power and influence within the culture. There is a lot he could have said or done to inhibit the ministry of Jesus on earth. Some might say it would have been wise for Jesus to just forget about Nicodemus and move on to those that were “really lost”.  The fact of the matter is Nicodemus was as lost as anyone at this point in his life, even though he probably had significant power and resources. For some reason we often think only those who are physically impoverished are the ones who need Jesus. (Just as an aside, my great fear is that this mindset is born out of the belief that the main benefit to following Jesus is that He improves your physical circumstances.) When are we going to understand that there are worse things than being poor, like Hell?!! Jesus understood this, which is why He spoke so plainly and clearly to all men, including Nicodemus, regarding the condemned status of their hearts despite their societal position.

While we don’t get to see whether or not Nicodemus chose to accept Christ, in Luke 18 we do get to see how another man high in the social ranks chose to respond to Jesus’ call. This young man approaches Jesus looking to find out the one thing he must do to be saved. After listening to His request and knowing his heart Jesus tells him he must sell all he owns and give it to the poor. The young man leaves distraught at the thought of giving up all he has.

What I love about this passage is Jesus gets right to the heart of the matter. He doesn’t congratulate him for apparently keeping the commandments mentioned in verse 20. Instead he tells him, a man who has everything, materially and spiritually, he is lacking! This is absolutely amazing! I guarantee you this man had never been told by anyone that he did not have enough to get whatever he wanted. Yet when it came to achieving eternal life he was found lacking. I often wonder if he ever came around and understood what Jesus was trying to tell Him.

Why didn’t Jesus placate this guy? Why not string Him along for a while and have Him financially support His ministry? I bet this guy could have gotten Jesus tickets to some great concerts which would have provided some great opportunities for one on one “ministry”! Jesus never concerned himself with these types of things which is why he could speak so freely to people like this rich young ruler.

Men like Nicodemus and the rich young ruler truly had nothing to offer Him that would in any way effect his ministry, and this idea is at the crux of our modern dilemma. We believe that we have more to lose by losing the affection, approval, and esteem of our friends, family, and coworkers than we have to gain by being obedient to the call of God. If we are to be like Christ we must, like Christ, boldly proclaim the truth God has implanted within our hearts. For some reason I think boldness has gotten a bad rap and somewhere along the line became synonymous with harshness. To me boldness is synonymous with conviction. I would not say Jesus spoke to either of these men harshly, but I would say He spoke with clear conviction.

In speaking with conviction He did not couch His teaching as a theory, like it was one of many other acceptable theories. I think this is another way we get around really proclaiming the Gospel boldly to those closest to us.  We say things like “This is what I believe.” Or “I’m not judging, but this is how I’ve been taught.” I’ve caught myself doing this and it drives me crazy! The Gospel is not just what we believe, it is the truth and the only truth available to anyone anywhere. It is the absolute only hope for any man, woman, or child on earth no matter where they live, when they live or how they live.

I am tired. I am worn out from my own cowardice and inability to overcome my fears when it comes to sharing the Gospel with those I claim to care about most. Christ was willing to go to the cross to show His love, and I won’t even cross the street! I’d go to Africa or New Guinea tomorrow, but ask me to go next door and suddenly my schedule is booked. My prayer as I write this is that I may speak with the same conviction that Christ spoke with, and that I would allow the Spirit of God to take over and speak plainly through me as it did through Christ in these instances.

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Isn’t that convicting? I can’t say I had thought about this until Justin brought it to my attention. It goes back to pride, just like all sin does. How arrogant am I to think that, because of someone's 'inferior' socioeconomic or social status, they need something from me. It’s not that I don't have anything to offer, but who’s to say their physical neediness is necessarily a sign of their spiritual neediness? Because I have an education, money from my parents, and good friends and family, should my compassion only be for those who don’t have these things?   

Thinking back, nearly every time I’ve shared the gospel it’s been with either someone younger than me, poorer than me, or more lost-looking than me (i.e. tattoos, drinking, smoking… just being honest here). And the sad thing is, when I’ve done so, I’ve given myself a little pat on the back, thinking how much better off that person is because of what I’ve done for them. How condescending and shallow of me! Of course, now knowing the good news, they are better off, but my motivation is wrong. I shared with them because I saw them as impressionable either because of their youth or the visible affects of sin in their life. Not solely because of their eternal salvation. 

But for some reason, when I see people similar to myself, I assume they know Truth. And if they don’t, they at least have the means by which to attain it. They don’t need me to share the gospel with them. They’ll figure it out. I presume upon their outward appearance, thinking that material wealth and health probably signify a redeemed heart. Ha! Saying that out loud sheds light on how ridiculous it is. We’ve forgotten that it’s the rich man who has less of a chance of being saved than a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle (Mark 10:25). 

Intimidation and insecurities aside, my desperation for ALL people to know Christ should compel me to share the gospel with anyone and everyone. From the well-dressed businesswoman to the child in rags on the side of the road, my desire for their salvation should be unbiased. For Christ, as we see in Justin’s Biblical examples, is no respecter of persons, but rather longs for all His Father’s children to be saved.

It seems impossible to see people how Christ saw them. He went past the outward appearance, straight to the heart. Let’s pray that the Spirit would allow us to see people through our Savior’s eyes. Let us renew our minds by reviewing his character and truth, and thus train ourselves to focus not on the outward appearance, but on the eternal state of one’s soul. Let us set aside our pride and obey God’s great commission by loving our neighbor- our bosses, teachers, parents, brothers and sisters, friends, coworkers, leaders and mentors. 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear!' (Matt. 11:15)