The Gospel Gift

Have you noticed how vulture-like children can be? My eldest daughter, now married, dropped by for a visit recently, and she’d stopped by Arby’s for some curly fries on her way. She made the mistake of bringing them in with her. My youngest became an eye-batting, pretty-please-pleading shadow! My eldest daughter had what my youngest wanted. Of course, as you may know is the case, I couldn’t help thinking about God. He has everything I want, so why is it surprising that I want to shadow Him with my arms outstretched, my hands open, and a big smile on my face? God gives amazing gifts, doesn’t He? It makes me giddy just thinking of how much joy He gets in how He gives. Have you ever wondered why so many Christians are so… joyless?

One of my top love languages is giving gifts. It’s not my only love language and I don’t go completely crazy with holidays and birthdays. I’m actually a pretty toned-down gift giver for someone of my love language. I am, however, guilty of buying special foods and treats for those in my inner circle… almost every time I go to the store. If I want to express love to my eldest daughter, I shower her with her favorite junk food: Ramen noodles, Reese’s peanut butter cups, or Totino’s triple-meat pizzas. For my younger three kiddos, all it takes is a chocolate Kinder egg for them to jump for joy – or Otter pops on a hot day. For my husband, buying a container of cottage cheese or a ripe, pink grapefruit is a way to express love. There’s a joy that I experience when gratitude is expressed for my simply buying food that is not the norm. I wonder if that’s why we so often disregard what God gives… or is it something else?

If you’ve been in religious circles for any length of time, you may hear someone utter the words “…inoculated to the Gospel…” It’s a lot like getting a vaccination. I don’t, however, want to build up an immunity to the Gospel! Such a sad thought – I imagine that it would be like my three year old seeing the Kinder egg and having no enthusiasm, no excitement, and even avoiding the sight of it. How could that possibly happen? My kiddos love Kinder eggs! We don’t get them very often because they cost more than a king-sized candy bar, so they’re always excited to be given one. What could possibly cause such an unenthusiastic reaction?

Before going into high school, I applied for and was approved to go on a teen mission trip to the Philippines. It was such a remarkable trip for me that I still think back to it even 25+ years later. One of my favorite local foods to eat was siopao. It’s a steamed, hot bun (made with rice flour, I think) that is stuffed with any assortment of meat – I was in love! I was more interested in the chicken variety, but it also came in pork, beef, and even duck! Well, I was in love with them until one of my team members bit into one and found a chick carcass – beak and all! I ate a bit more cautiously after that disturbing sight. I couldn’t help but fear that the next siopao I bit into would send me chocking on an animal head. A seed of doubt had been planted.

I’ve sat in churches and listened to pastors condemn the congregation – nicely, of course, and I don’t doubt that many of them care. You may have heard sayings similar to this popular one: “Jesus suffered on the cross for you and you can’t even show up to church on time.” That offers an interesting perspective, but it causes me to listen a bit more cautiously after that shot of condemnation. What about this one: “Jesus died for you, so the least you can do is live for Him.” Catchy, right? But both are a little too condemn-y.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 (NKJV)

For context purposes – and because it’s such good stuff – please read Romans 5:12-19. This passage talks about how sin entered through one man (Adam) and righteousness entered through one man (Jesus). One ushered in condemnation and death; one ushered in justification and life.

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19 (NIV)

One is death; the other is life. What happens, though, when you try to mix the two together? What happens when you mix together something that causes repulsion and sickness with something that is meant to nourish? I could have a siopao every day for two months straight and have no issue chowing down on them, but slip one in with a chick carcass – seriously, the beak! – and I’m suddenly not so excited about those rich, hot buns. I might even find myself searching out the menu for something else to fill my hunger. (This is a post topic all by itself, so I’m not going to dwell here right now)

This isn’t a post directed at any one position. If you’re sharing the Gospel as the leader of a Bible study or someone who is attending the Bible study, I pray that you’ll enthusiastically share and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job. You may have heard these other catchy phrases: “We’re called to call…” and “Be fishers of men…” It’s a calling to all Christians. You can’t help but share the goods when it causes such joy – just like the Arby’s curly fries. Just share by faith – by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:7-11 (NKJV)

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will convict, not condemn. The Apostle Paul knew the law inside and out and had been a persecutor of Christ’s followers. Many of us know the story of his conviction and conversion (notice that there’s no condemnation – check it out in Acts 9). Because of this knowledge, reading the book of Galatians gets me really excited! I could easily be convinced to type out the entire book because it’s all so good. But instead, I’ll encourage you to read a few chapters of what Paul wrote (at least). Galatians 3-5 are some of my favorites.

When we share our faith, regardless of a pulpit or a couch or praying with our kids at night, it is absolutely not our job to condemn. It is our job to share God’s love. It’s our job to share the good news. It’s not our job to point out all the ways we fail, but to point out all the ways God has provided and saved. The Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Counselor… He’s much better at His job than any of us are. I want all of my kiddos to have a craving for God; their arms outstretched, hands open to receive, and a smile of joy and gratitude wide on their faces. What’s even better – God wants that even more than I do.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)