The Audacity of the Gospel

Considering the Christian faith, there is a strong sense of outrageous hope, holy justice, and wholesome love. In short, the Gospel is audacious and worth exploring at any stage in life. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ focuses on this Good News as the solid foundation for providing ministry to humanity worldwide. How is the Gospel an expression of God's audacity? Well, it all begins with the triune God.

The historical Christian Church regards God to be one essence expressed in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The working of each of these persons is evident in the way the Gospel is revealed to people near and far. The Father is the creator of the universe, whose expression of perfection was manifested in his act of creation. God, not wanting or needing anything, expresses his Holiness in the action of creating a universe that returns worship to Him. It is God who provides the laws that govern life, the balance in the world, and provides for all creation.

The Son, Jesus Christ, is the full expression of the Father, who is Spirit, in time and space. It is the Son who shares in the full expression of humanity while continuing to hold the fullness of the Godhead's divinity. The record of Jesus' life, teaching, ministry, trial, execution, and resurrection is presented in the New Testament section referred to as The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The third person of the Trinity is often misunderstood, misrepresented, and often ignored. The Holy Spirit is the helper promised to the Church by Jesus and the Father. The connection between believers and the other two persons of the Trinity is only made possible through the Spirit's work. This view of God is unique to the historic Christian Church.

The Good News is these:

"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand" (Matthew 4:17b, NASB)

"You know that after two days the Passover is coming and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified" (Matthew 26:2, NASB)

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34b, NASB)

"It is finished." (John 19:30b, NASB)

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5b, NASB)

Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, and through his death and resurrection, those who trust Him will have eternal life. John 3:16-21 presents the whole picture of the Gospel as love, justice, mercy, and grace are offered in a holy interaction that highlights God's character and his attributes as the object of worship for all creation. How is this audacious?

1. God displays his love for humanity.

Regardless of any thoughts about God's perceived desire, need, or want to have humanity with Him, salvation is more about His glory and magnification than the benefit extended to humanity. God displays his perfection in that through the sacrifice performed by Jesus, divine justice is provided, which presents Jesus as our mediator by way of the cross, to give us all of God's love, mercy, and grace.

2. God does all the work required for salvation.

There are no required errands, tasks, or requirements for access to the gift of salvation. God alone takes on the burden of forgiveness, judgment, reconciliation, justice, and renewal of humanity. The whole person of the triune God works in different ways to call and bring humanity back into peace with God. The penalty for sins is paid once and for all.

3. God honors the gift of free will.

People often express concern about God overriding the human free will. The focus is usually on the perceived limitations of a life committed to God's service and purposes. Added to this misperception, because God is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Ever-Present, humanity struggles to see the beauty that God respects our decision regarding his offer of free salvation, regardless of the truth that he already knows the answer. In a limited picture, God acts as a parent that extends an erring child the opportunity, to tell the truth. However, the parent already knows the truth about the matter. God honors the gift he bestowed on each man and woman.

4. Salvation remains open to all.

From the time of the first believers, and the beginning of the Church, there are people whose intent is to corrupt the pure Gospel of God's gift of salvation. Regardless of these efforts, the Bible encourages readers to see that salvation is an open gate while this epoch of time continues. Whether a young child knows his or her need for a savior while in the innocence of youth, or whether an adult is on his or her deathbed, God is faithful to grant forgiveness of sins to those who whole-heartedly repent of their sins. While a last-minute conversion is always present, there is much more to enjoy when a believer gives God his or her whole life as an act of worship

5. All it takes is faith/obedience.

The yoke each individual trades with Jesus Christ as we accept the gift of salvation is obedience for that of paying the penalty incurred by our sins. The point of the Ten Commandments and the Laws given in the Old Testament in the Bible is to point out the total and utter need for a divine intercessor and redeemer. Obedience and faithfulness are only possible if each one of us leans on the work of the Holy Spirit. We must have complete trust in God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) to do their work that empowers us to be continually faithful.