Recently I have been talking with my good friend, David Webster, and my wife, Kim, about the "Gospel".
What is the christian Gospel?
What is this good news?
We realised over the years that we have come to limit the extent of the good news in our christian thinking? For instance I was reading a christian magazine recently, that asked the question "When did you last have an evangelistic conversation?" I think I know what is meant by that, probably the question suggests an answer around the idea of when did we last explain to someone the plan of salvation, the concept of sin, forgiveness being born again. And that is a wonderful part of the gospel.
But is the gospel more than that?
I think so, the Bible talks about the good news of Jesus Christ, not just the good news of salvation. Jesus did more than forgive sins, he healed people, taught them, set them free from oppression, multiplied food, he ate and drank, attended weddings, provide wine. He did life in all its fullness.
Jesus simply was good news to all who wanted to welcome Him.
I don't want to limit myself with regard to the gospel - I want to display it in all its fulness as far as possible. Healing the sick, bringing liberty and hope to people, calming storms (in the workplace, in the home), being a source of joy and light.
As his light shines through us in greater measure, we will simply be good news. I don't want to try to include the gospel in my conversation, I want to be good news wherever I am.
