The Gospel: A Gift Not A Weapon
A guest post by Jody Apple.
"If you want a chance at changing minds, you need a new strategy: Stop using your values as a weapon, and start offering them as a gift." [Arthur C. Brooks, "A Gentler, Better Way to Change Minds." The Atlantic, April, 7, 2022]
First, my use of this quote by Arthur Brooks does not constitute his approval for what follows. My focus will be on truth and style and attitude, not just the “values” he referenced. Hopefully, we grasp the connections inherent in these elements.
Second, the larger point … and our purpose: The *message* of Messiah Jesus must be as *gift oriented* as is the redemption that Messiah Jesus bestows, as is the blessed gift of Messiah Jesus himself. Redemption, a gracious gift from a merciful God, must not be muddied or muddled by our presentation of gospel truths, by our attitude or by our style.
Some, perhaps too much, preaching comes across like a hammer, a weapon. We might, figuratively, bludgeon our listeners with something we call *gospel.* But what if in the context of our presentation it does *not* come across as good news to our audience?
Maybe it's because we have weaponized the gospel.
Consider that ...
Christ's name was "given" so that we might "be saved." (Acts 4.12)
The "Prince and Savior" came to "give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5.31)
It's "by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ..." (Eph 2.8)
God "saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,..." (2 Tim 1.9)
These passages — there are, of course, many more — emphasize both God's willingness to give (due to his grace and mercy) *and* the actual gift he bestows (salvation, redemption).
In the course of our living/sharing/preaching/teaching the gospel, we need to emphasize both elements.
God wants to save.
God gives salvation.
Does this mean that we can never say anything that convicts souls of sin? That we can not say that this or that behavior goes against God’s will? No. We are not saying that preaching must avoid the subject of sin. John plainly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mk 6.18)
But won't a message that addresses and convicts hearers of sin come across negatively, like a hammer ... a weapon?
Yes. That's certainly possible. Maybe even likely.
But in our preaching, let's be sure that it's the gospel message itself that *hits* the hearts of our hearers. Let's be sure that it's the *message* that cuts to the heart and that it's the *message* that convicts. That it's their perceived holiness of the Lord that calls them (and us) to change. That, even in the context of sharing a message that prompts hard questions and challenges our deepest and most personal values ... that through it all we constantly center on the end result.
On the other side of faith ...
On the other side of conviction ...
On the other side of repentance ...
On the other side of submission to Father, Son and Spirit ...
That on the other side there's a life of peace and surrender and service ...
And redemption.
Redemption now, in the present. • Redemption forever, in the future.
And that both, redemption now and then ... it's all God's gift.
Pray that we do not let our attitudes obscure that gift.
Pray that we do not let our styles blur God's grace.
Pray that as we share God's word to change hearts and minds and souls ...
That God's great and generous gift stands squarely in the center.
PostScript • A message for self as much as a message for others. • Orig post: 04/12/2022 • With minor updates/edits: 04/12/2023
Followup: Does not the text teach us that Jesus did not come to bring peace, but a sword?
Yes. It does (Mt 10.34).
Well, then, there's definitely a "weaponizing" element of the gospel inherent in that passage.
That's one way to look at it.
But perhaps it might benefit us to consider this point of view.
Jesus' reference to bringing a sword in this context focuses more on the *division* that would occur as a result of preaching the gospel than the idea that the gospel itself functions as a weapon.
"Aren't the two ideas related?"
Yes.
The use of "sword" in this context involves "cutting," but again, centering squarely on the result of the preaching and not on any intended violence inherent in preaching.
My focus in the piece above: A word of caution to Christians in the way they wield the sword of the Spirit.
The "sharpness" must be seen in the the power of the word, not in any way due to our own might (Heb 4.12, cf Rev 2.12-16).
What follows comes from the intro to the original post on the FB page for TheBible.net on 04/12/2022
If “gospel” means good news or glad tidings …
Then it needs to come across that way to those who hear it.
It should create an incredible sense of thanksgiving within the hearts and minds of those who hear it, believe it and surrender to it. To those redeemed — saved — by that gospel.
The heart of the good news ...
It's all about God's grace.
It's all about Jesus' atoning sacrifice.
It's all about his life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.
It's all about our life of service on the other side of our death, burial and resurrection with Christ.
It's truly good news for every soul that needs a savior.
And every soul needs a savior.
So, let’s share it that way.
Let’s do our best to let the gospel, God’s good and glorious gift to us, shine brightly through our words and through our lives.
Love,
Jody
Jameson here - I’m grateful to Jody Apple for allowing me to share his thoughts with you. He posts these thoughts on Facebook, and I wanted others to consider his thoughts.
I believe he’s correct regarding the attitude we ought to have when presenting the gospel message. Certainly, we always proclaim the truth - and sometimes that truth will create a bit of a stir in people.
But it must be the message - the truth (John 17:17) - the Word (Hebrews 4:12) - that causes the reaction and not the proclaimer’s attitude.
Amen