Gospel has become one of those “weird religious words” which few people really understand. It simply means good news. So, what is the good news we at Countryside Christian Church have to offer?
As recorded in John 17:3, Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is eye opening! We have the opportunity to know God. I’m not sure we can get to know the President of Northwest or the Mayor of the ‘ville, but through the good news found in the Bible, we can know the Creator, Ruler & Redeemer of the Universe.
In fact, we were created in order to know God, personally and intimately. (Jeremiah 9:23-24; Philippians 3:10-11) However, we are limited creatures. Therefore it will take our entire lifetime – and throughout eternity – to know the limitless Creator. Yet, there are some basic qualities of God we need to know in order to respond to Him and enter into a proper relationship with Him.
First, we can know that God Speaks. How does God speak? Initially, He speaks through the order and splendor of His creation. Look into the sky at night or into the microscope by day. This design speaks of the designer. Consider: Psalm 19:1-4; Hebrews 3:4. He speaks to us through His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3) and through the pages of the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17). Eventually, as we mature in learning to know, trust and obey Him, He speaks to us directly – in our own spirits – but never in contradiction to the Scriptures. Since we can know the only true God who speaks, our desire is to seek Him and to listen to His voice.
Secondly, can know that God is Faithful (Deuteronomy 7:7-9; Psalm 33:1-5; 89:1-8; I Corinthians 10:11-13). Have you ever been caught in a lie or failed to keep a promise? I have and I assume you have too, but God hasn’t had this experience. He is always truthful, because He has no desire or need to lie.
Since we long to know the only true God who is faithful in all He does, our desire is to trust Him. We trust Him by believing in and acting on the promises He has made, and the words which He has spoken. In Hebrews 11:6 we learn that “without faith it is impossible to please God...” As our Creator, He sets the rules. Primarily, He requires that we take Him at His word, whether we understand it entirely or not (Hebrews 11:1). The Bible calls this faith.
Thirdly, the God we have the opportunity to know is Holy (Leviticus 20:26; 22:31-33; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:13-16). No other word provides a more accurate description of God than the word holy. In fact, for emphasis, the angels recognize that He is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). To be holy means that God is different. He is pure and He dramatically exceeds our understanding of goodness and purity.
This is where the tension between God and mankind begins, because we are not holy. In fact, we are very sinful. Even the most casual reading of history or current events confirms the evil which lurks in the hearts and minds of men and women. Sadly, we know this same evil lives in our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:10; 23; 6:23).
So, how can we who are wicked, have a relationship with the one and only holy God?
We need to be cleansed. Since we long to know the only true God who is holy, our desire is to see our sin the way He sees our sin. This lifelong attitude is called repentance As you can see in these verses (Proverbs 28:13; II Corinthians 7:10; I John 1:8-9), God is quite willing – He even longs – to forgive and purify us when we repent.
Yet, merely seeing our sin as God sees our sin does not entirely solve our problem. Dr. Jack Cottrell, (whose writing has blessed and educated me greatly) has stated that our sin causes “double trouble.” We have the problem of guilt, since we have broken God’s standards (I John 3:4) and we are spiritually sick because our choices have infected us with the “virus” of sin. We are so “sick” that the Bible speaks of us being “dead in sin” (Ephesians 2:1). Dead is as sick as we can get!
To illustrate this “double trouble,” consider what would happen if I were to speed through a red-light at a busy intersection and cause a wreck. Wouldn’t I have “double trouble?” One, I’d be ticketed for breaking the law, and I’d be fined. Then, depending on the damage or deaths I might have caused, I might face criminal charges and conviction. Two, I’d probably be injured physically. Perhaps I’d experience cuts, bruises, broken bones or even more serious injuries. In addition, my recklessness might destroy any number of relationships with those I’d injured.
Likewise, our sin places us in peril before the just and holy God (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23a).
Fourthly, and this is very good to know, God is Gracious (Exodus 34:6; Jonah 2:8; Luke 15:11ff; Ephesians 2:1-10). In His goodness, He offers forgiveness. Since we long to know the true God who is gracious in all He does, our desire – and our greatest need – is to experience His grace.
How can we experience His Grace? His grace saves us (Ephesians 2:8), strengthens us (Hebrews 13:9), is sufficient to sustain us (II Corinthians 12:7-10), it schools us (Titus 2:11-14) and it helps us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
In addition to God’s desire to be glorified for His mercy (Isaiah 48:9-11; Romans 15:9), grace led God to give His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin (Romans 5:6-11; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24). God’s purpose is to offer a way for us to escape our “double trouble.” He offers a way for us to be set-free from the consequences of our sin and the agony of the injuries we have caused to ourselves and to others. Jesus can be our substitute. He has already suffered the punishment we deserve.
Perhaps you have seen this sort of sacrifice in classic literature, movies or real life? Grace can be seen in the behavior of the Bishop toward Jean Vel Jean in Les Misrables. It is seen in the film Rudy, when every member of the team – who had earned their positions – offered their jersey’s to Coach Devine saying, “Rudy can dress in my place.” We see it in current events when men and women forfeit their own freedoms – and their very lives – in order to provide others with the opportunity to live without oppression and try their own hand at freedom.
This wonderful grace is most clearly seen in Jesus Christ who was without sin, yet He became sin for us, so that we could “dress” in His place (II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24) and experience the joy of knowing His Father.
Fifthly, we can know that God is more than able to cleanse us and make us new. Consider these passages from the Bible: Psalm 40:1-5; 51:1-19 Ezekiel 36:26-27; Acts 5:20; Romans 6:1-4; II Corinthians 5:17; 21; I Peter 1:3-6; 2:24; Revelation 21:1-5.
Leighton Ford has written, “God loves us the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way.” God accepts us in our guilt and sickness, and then He dedicates His power to our healing and restoration. We who are humbled and appropriately awed by His grace seek to know Him. We seek Him in order to be made clean. Since we long to know the only true God who is able to cleanse us and make us new, our desire is to submit to His cleansing. The Bible calls this baptism – or more specifically – immersion.
Tragically, many have wrongly believed that baptism is a work of their own obedience. Some view baptism as something we do to please God. As I have studied the Bible, specifically Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-39; 22:16; Colossians 2:9-15, I am led to believe that baptism is God’s work, not our own work. It is a fulfillment of His promise to forgive us and make us clean in His sight. The power of this cleansing isn’t in us or in the water. It is in the might of His mercy and grace.
What is the significance of baptism? It is the specific time when a person who desires to surrender their life to God, receives the gifts of His grace. We submit to being immersed in water – whether in a baptistry, a pool, a pond, a lake or a stream – to experience and participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:11-12). It should be noted, this isn’t merely a symbolic experience. Rather it is a spiritual, supernatural experience in which we participate in these Historical events.
Simply put, baptism is the concrete reference point when we receive the gifts of His grace and all the changes of status and privileges His mercy provides. Please consider this: Our Presidents are elected in November, but when are they sworn in and granted executive power? I secured Paula, as my fiancée on December 31st of 1984, but when did I actually receive her as my wife? Likewise, entering into an empowering, life-altering experience with Almighty God has a specific time.
The Scripture teaches this specific time is our baptism (Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Romans 6:4-7; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11-12; note the preposition “in” which identifies time and location). It must be noted that since every matter regarding salvation must be consistent with the clear teaching that “...it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...to do good works...” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Isn’t it clear that these passages regarding baptism are promises of God’s grace, not commands of His law?
The cleansing work done during immersion is done by God. It is His work, not ours! In fact, after pondering Acts 22:16, I find it accurate to identify baptism as “the sinner’s prayer” for mercy and forgiveness. “...an appeal to God for a good conscience...” I Peter 3:21 (NASB).
Sixthly, we can know that God is more than able to keep us from falling back into a life which is dominated by sin (I Peter 1:3-11; II Peter 1:3-11; Jude 24). Sadly, we’ve all seen people who began a relationship with God, but for some unknown or self-serving reason, they abandoned Him or forgot Him like a New Year’s resolution. Too often, people start following Jesus, but then they quit. This is sometimes referred to as “falling away” or “backsliding.”
How many times have you seen couples who were madly “in love” with one another during high-school, who went to separate universities, only to discover, in a matter of weeks – or even days – their “love” had grown cold? Few relationships can survive the stress of distance.
Likewise, it is impossible to know God if He is distant to us. Thus, God makes an offer which transcends every barrier. He promises to come near to all who come near to Him (James 4:4-10). Since we long to know the only true God who is able to keep us from falling, our desire is to stay near Him (John 15:1-8; Philippians 4:13). He protects us and keeps us safe like a big brother who defends us and our milk money from the bullies.
When people “fall away” or “backslide,” it isn’t because God failed them. It is because they kept God at a distance. Since God is a gentleman rather than a kidnapper, He allows us the freedom to forsake the call of His kindness and grace.
Truly, all of this is good news! God speaks and we get to listen. God is faithful and we get to trust Him. God is holy and pure, so He leads us to repentance. God is gracious, and in spite of our unholiness and impurity, He is willing and able to cleanse us and make us new. God is close to us, so we can walk with Him. What could be better?
In summary, I have found that God – in a good way – is obsessive. He is obsessed with revealing Himself to us and showing us that He is good. I can only begin to tell you of His mercy and kindness to a sinful wretch like me. His invitation to all people is simply this...
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and in rest is your salvation in quietness and trust is your strength...” Isaiah 30:15
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3
If you have questions, please contact me at 582.8872 or countryside@unitedsky.net May you come to know and understand every good thing which is available to us in Jesus.
Vic Coston
Revised 08-13-08