Problem: the Gospel comes across as arbitrary
Why: we do not articulate the reality or even the what of sin
In other words, if we expect the Gospel to hold water in the marketplace of ideas we must be able to articulate how it is relevant.
The way this is sometimes done is to marginalize the difficult parts of the gospel in order to “sell” the good parts, the parts about purpose and fulfilled lives. The problem is that for many – their lives are going along just fine and they see no need to invest themselves in a savior when they dont feel they really need saving.
It is lazy and petty to blame the unbelieving world for their blindness especially when we are not articulating the Gospel in a way that is understandable.
Remember, we need to be able to answer the question -why is sin sinful and how does it affect everyday people.
until we answer this – we will continue to present a faith that comes across as arbitrary and irrelevant.
The gospel is extremely relevant in peoples lives already especially because we live in america
As americans we believe and live with a collective worldview where all people, no matter their status or abilities, their color or sex deserve to own property and to vote -to exercise what we call their inalienable rights
The origin of this national ideal is found all the way back in our
Declaration of Independence which states:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Gen. 1:27 ¶ So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Abraham lincoln later said it this way (1858 Lewiston Illinois)
“nothing stamped with the Divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be trodden on, and degraded, and imbruted by its fellows.”
This is wonderful news but it comes with implicit bad news. As image bearers we are accountable for how we have borne this image.
Rom. 1:18 ¶ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
In other words…
God is mad at everybody who does not look like Him.
SO THEN THIS IS OUR PROBLEM -THIS IS THE PROBLEM FACING EVERY PERSON YOU SEE AND IT IS WHY GOODNESS IS NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE NO ONE CAN BE GOOD ENOUGH -WE HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO BE LIKE HIM -TO BE PERFECT AS HE IS
Here is where the good news becomes relevant-
Heb. 2:14 ¶ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Heb. 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Heb. 2:16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
Heb. 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Propitiation is a fancy word telling us that God poured His wrath His perfect justice out on this perfect image bearer in your place so that you the flawed, broken image bearer can take His place as a perfect image bearer.