Reason #15 Obedience Born of Love

A wrong or weak understanding of God's love for us and His will for our lives can lead to a view that sees obedience to Him as a drudgery. On the other hand, we know that when we truly love someone it is never "drudgery" to do what pleases them, to honor them. If we truly love God it will be our joy to honor Him with our obedience.  

"To love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength is the greatest commandment in the law (Mark 12:28-30). If I could simply fulfill this one commandment, I would gladly fulfill all the others as a natural matter of course.

 So how can I come to love God with all of my being (1 John 5:3)? The Bible teaches that genuine love in my heart for God is generated by an awareness of His love for me (1 John 4:19), and nowhere is the love of God more clearly revealed than in the gospel (Romans 5:7-8, John 15:13, Ephesians 2:4-5).

Therefore, preaching the gospel to myself is a great way to keep God's amazing love before my eyes, so that I might experience its power to produce in me a passionate love for Him in return. Captured by His love in this way, my smitten heart increasingly burns to do His will and feasts itself on doing so (John 14:31, John 4:34, Psalm 40:8)."  -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.28

Reason #14: Cultivating Humility

At the root of our on-going struggle with sin lies the pride of our flesh. The humility God desires His children to exhibit and that every Christian should desire to know as a reality in his or her life, is something we must fight for until that day we are in the presence of  our Lord and are made like Him, perfect in holiness. The most powerful weapon, one that lays waste to sinful pride is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"According to Scripture, God deliberately designed the gospel in such a way so as to strip me of pride and leave me without any grounds for boasting in myself whatsoever (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29). This is actually a wonderful mercy from God, for pride is at the root of all my sin. Pride produced the first sin in the garden (Genesis 3:4-6), and pride always proceeds every sinful stumbling in my life (Proverbs 16:18). Therefore, if I am to experience deliverance from sin, then I must be delivered from the pride that produces it. Thankfully, the gospel is engineered to accomplish this deliverance.

Preaching the gospel to myself each day mounts a powerful assault against my pride and serves to establish humility in its place. Nothing suffocates my pride more than daily reminders regarding the glory of my God, the gravity of my sins, and the crucifixion of God's own Son in my place. Also, the gracious love of God, lavished on me because of Christ's death, is always humbling to remember, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the Hell I deserve.

Pride wilts in the atmosphere of the gospel; and the more pride is mortified within me, the less frequent are my moments of sinful contention with God and with others (Proverbs 13:10). Conversely, humility grows lushly in the atmosphere of the gospel, and the more humility flourishes within me, the more I experience God's grace (James 4:6) along with the strengthening His grace provides (Hebrews 13:9). Additionally, such humility intensifies my passion for God and causes my heart increasingly to thrill whenever He is praised (Psalm 34:2)."  -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.27

 

Reason #13: A Heart for the Lost

Christians can take classes, read books, attend seminars, and use other resources that help learn how to share the gospel with the lost. But unless these resources are tapped into by those with a genuine burden for the lost they will most likely never be practiced or utilized by those well-meaning students  who give time  and attention to them. I am convinced that the first step in any "evangelism training" ought to be "how to preach the gospel to yourself".  It is a deep and abiding appreciation for the gospel in our own daily life and experience that will give us a key ingredient in evangelism: a heart for the lost. Milton Vincent offers this as the 13th reason to preach the gospel to yourself daily:  

The more I rehearse and exult in gospel truths, the more there develops within me a corresponding burden for non-Christians to enter into such blessings. This is also what seems to happen to the Apostle Paul while writing the book of Romans.

In Romans 5 Paul exults in his righteous standing before God (Romans 5:1-11). In chapter 6 he speaks of the freedom from sin which Christ has accomplished in the lives of believers (Romans 6:1,2,6), a freedom which Paul latter confesses had not yet become fully realized in his own daily practice (chapter 7). Nonetheless, coming into chapter 8, he recounts the fact that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). With increasing flourish, he rehearses numerous gospel themes throughout the length of chapter 8, and he climaxes the chapter with a triumphant exclamation regarding the endless love of God which enables Christians to conquer overwhelmingly in all things (Romans 8:35-39). 

What effect do such gospel meditations have upon Paul? What emotions do they produce in him besides the obvious joy he feels when reciting them? Paul bares his soul at the very beggining of chapter 9: "I have great sorrow," he says, :and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself where accursed, separated from Christ, for the sake of my brethren, my kinsman according to the flesh."

Coming down from the heights of gospel meditation, Paul's heart is devastated by a burden for his fellow-Jews to experience the saving power of the gospel. His Burden existed long before he started writing, but undoubtedly intensified by his rehearsal of gospel truths in Romans 5-8, a rehearsal which inevitably leads his thoughts toward the plight of those outside of Christ.

Hence, if I wish to have a 'Romans 9' kind of burden for non-Christians, I should  become practiced at celebrating the gospel as Paul does in Romans 5-8. Over time, my joy in the gospel will become increasingly tinged with grief, and this grief-stained joy will lend a gospel-inspired passion to my ministry of evangelizing the lost. -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.25

Reason #12: Stimulated to Love Others

Perhaps the most compelling reason to preach the gospel daily to myself is how it effects the love I am to have for all people (Mark 12:31). We all know there are some people who are very difficult to love.  Love, as the world sees it, is based on the lovableness of the one to be loved.  The gospel however, reminds me that God loves me despite my own un-lovableness.

"When my mind is fixed on the gospel, I have ample stimulation to shoe God's love for other people. For I am always willing to show love to others when I am freshly mindful of the love that God has shown me (Titus 3:1-8). Also, the gospel gives me the wherewithal to give forgiving grace to those who have wronged me, for it reminds me daily of the forgiving grace that God has shown me (Ephesians 4:32). 

Doing good and showing love to those who have wronged me is always the opposite of what my sinful flesh wants me to do. Nonetheless, when I remind myself of my sin against God and of His forgiving and generous grace toward me, I give the gospel an opportunity to reshape my perspective and to put me in a frame of mind wherein I actually desire to give this same grace to those who have wronged me." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.24

We love, because He first loved us. -1 John 4:19

Reason #11: My Inheritence in the Saints

 Keeping the gospel ever before us is a powerful way to to fully appreciate our brothers and sisters in Christ:

"The gospel is not just a message of reconciliation with God, but it also heralds the reconciliation with one another in Christ. Through the death of Christ, God has brought peace where there was once hostility, and He has broken down the racial, economic, and social barriers that once divided us outside of Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:28; Revelation 5:9). 

Also, when God saved us, He made us members of His household (Ephesians 2:19), and He gave us as gifts to one another (Ephesians 1:18). Each brother and sister is a portion of my gospel inheritance from God, and I am a portion of their inheritance as well. We are significant players in each other's gospel  narrative, and it is in relationship with one another that we experience the fullness of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Hence, the more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died (Ephesians 5:25), the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.23

Saturday Song

"The Power of the Cross" is another beautiful song written by Kieth Getty that powerfully tells the story of Calvary. If you have not heard this song there is a link below to a video of  Keith & Kristyn Getty performing it. Like many songs, it can be found recorded by several different artists.

Sample of lyrics:

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow. 

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love. 

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Video:
"The Power of the Cross"

Purchase MP3s:
"The Power of the Cross"  Sung by Kristyn Getty
"The Power of the Cross"  Sung by Stuart Townend

Reason #10: Loving My Brothers and Sisters

 You would think that those who have become recipients of the gospel through faith in Jesus Christ would automatically love one another. But in Colossians 3:12-14 believers are exhorted  "as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." This reminds us that the reality is we sometimes struggle to love others as we should. A key to the remedy is found in the words "as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved." As we recognize that God chose us to be recipients of His love it helps us to "put on love" for one another. Milton Vincent addresses this as he presents a tenth reason that Christians should preach the gospel to themselves daily:

"The more I experience the gospel, the more there develops within me a yearning affection for my fellow-Christians who are participating in the glories of the gospel. This affection for them come loaded with the confidence in their continued spiritual growth and ultimate glorification, and it becomes my pleasure to express to them this loving confidence regarding the ongoing work of God in their lives (Philippians 1:3-7). 

Additionally, with the gospel proving itself to be such a boon in my own life, I realize that the greatest gift I can give to my fellow-Christians is the gospel itself. Indeed, I love my fellow-Christians not simply because of the gospel, but I love them best when I am loving them with the gospel! (1 Thessalonians 2:8) And I do this not merely by speaking gospel words to them, but also by living before them and generously relating to them in a gospel manner. Imparting my life to them in this way, I thereby contribute to their experience of the power, the Spirit, and the full assurance of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

By preaching the gospel to myself each day, I nurture the bond that unites me with my brothers and sisters for whom Christ died, and I also keep myself well-versed in the raw materials with which I may actively love them in Christ." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.22

IFCA N.W. Regional Conference

I will be out of town for a few day attending the IFCA Pacific Northwest Regional Conference. I will resume posting on Thursday. 

"As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped."  -Psalm 18:30-36 (NASB95)

Saturday Song

The Saturday Song to help you preach the gospel to yourself:

"In Christ Alone"
Written by Kieth Getty & Stuart Townend

As song that is probably familiar to most. It's five verses, rich with gospel truths, remind me of the immensity and cost of Christ's gift of salvation every time I hear it.

Sample of lyrics:

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

 There are several artist that have recorded this song. You can go to iTunes or walmart.com and listen to samples to find one you like. Here is one of my favorites song by Adrienne Liesching & Geoff Moore: "In Christ Alone"

Reason #9: Enslaved by Christ's Righteousness

Th 9th reason that I should preach the gospel daily to myself  brings a proper balance to the 7th reason that I posted yesterday. My righteous standing that is based on Christ alone and not my performance, is in no way a license to sin, but  rather is the motivating , empowering, controlling factor in my daily battle to not sin.

"The righteousness of God, credited to me through Christ, is not merely something I rest in, but it is also the premier saving reality by which God governs me. According to Romans 6, when I obeyed the gospel call I was both declared righteous and 'became a slave to righteousness' at the same time. Quite literally, the, the righteousness that God credited to me became my master on the day I was converted! And now I am daily called by God to surrender the members of my being as slaves to do whatever this righteousness dictates (Romans 6:19).

That I would be called to present my members as slaves of the imputed righteousness implies that my justification has something to say to me by way of directing me how to live my life each day. What it directs me to do is to be holy; and what results from my obedience to its rule is sanctification, or holiness of life (Romans 6:19). Hence, it could be said that 'sanctification is merely the life long practice of wherein I surrender my self to God's imputed righteousness and then do whatever this righteousness directs me to do.  Indeed, God has clothed me with His righteousness. Now He wants this righteousness to master me.

The more I exult in the reality of my justification in Christ, the more I position myself to experience the full force of its sanctifying power in my life. And the more sanctified I become, the more I experience the full breadth of eternal life that God has given me in Christ."   -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.21

Are you resting in, and enslaved to, Christ's righteousness today?

Reason # 8: Resting in Christ's Righteousness

Do you like rest?  I like rest. When we understand and accept the complete, unconditional forgiveness that is found in Christ, we are ushered into the best place of rest.

"The gospel encourages me to rest in my righteous standing with God, a standing which Christ Himself has accomplished and always maintains for me (Romans 5:1-2; 1 John 2:1-2). I never have to do a moment's labor to gain or maintain my justified status before God! (Romans 4:5; Hebrews 4:3; Matthew 11:28) Freed from the burden of such a task, I now can put my energies into enjoying God, pursuing holiness, and ministering God's amazing grace to others.

The gospel also reminds me that my righteous standing with God always holds firm regardless of my performance, because my standing is based solely on the work of Jesus and not mine (Romans 5:18-19) On my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages my with God's unrelenting grace toward me (Romans 5:20-21, 6:1; 1 John 2:1-2). On my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relating to God solely on the basis of Jesus' righteousness and not mine." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.20

Are you resting in the gospel today?

Reason #7: Freedom From Sin's Power

Even as a redeemed person, the Apostle Paul was acutely aware of the sin still present in his life. Writing to the Romans he expresses his frustration:  "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.... So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:15-23)" The very thought of this sin in his life causes him to cry out "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24)"  But Paul knew very well the answer to that question as he gives it in the very next sentence: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:25)" Paul knew well that despite the ongoing battle with sin in his flesh, every one of his sins, past, present, and future, had been nailed to the cross and were counted no more. So while a conviction, awareness, and even grief over sin is a good and healthy thing in a Believers ongoing process of sanctification, it is the desire of Satan to weigh a Christian down with guilt over his or her sin.

"As long as I am stricken with the guilt of my sins, I will be captive to them, and will often find myself re-committing the very sins about which I feel the most guilty. The Devil is well aware of this fact; he knows that if he can keep me tormented by sin's guilt, he can dominate me with sin's power.


The gospel, however, slays sin at this root point and thereby nullifies sin's power over me. The forgiveness of God, made known to me through the gospel, liberates me from sin's power because it liberates me first from sin's guilt (Romans 6:14), and preaching such forgiveness to myself is a practical way of putting the gospel into operation as a nullifier of sins power in my life." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.19

Paul goes on in Romans 8:1-3, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh." Preaching the gospel daily to myself is a way of reminding me, and causing me to cry out "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ my Lord, I am forgiven!"  And the result: "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:12-13)" When I live in the freedom of God's forgiveness I have an increased desire and resolve, through the Holy Spirit who emboldens and empowers me, to put to death those sins that are still present.  Yet another great reason to preach the gospel daily to myself.

Gospel Truth....Daily

Last week I suggested (here) that one way to preach the gospel daily to yourself is to pick a passage, read it each day for a week, and make a list of gospel truths that are found in the text. It really takes a very short amount of time to do this and yet the discipline of being in the Word and dwelling on the gospel will have lasting benefit throughout the day. I suggested Romans 5 as a start.

Here are some of the gospel truths I "preach to myself" as I read Romans 5

• By faith in Christ I stand before God as one who is completely justified (which means when God looks at me He sees me as righteous) not by what I have done, but because of what Christ did for me. Romans 5:1
• Because I am justified I have peace with with God because of Jesus Christ. This means where once I was an enemy of God, I now am a friend of God! Romans 5:1
• Tribulations, because of the gospel, are for my good and will help me to persevere. Romans 5:3-4
• I was helpless but God is not and at the just the right time Christ came and rescued me. Romans 5:6
• God loves me despite my sinfulness…I know this because He gave His Son to die for, and His Son gave His life for me. Romans 5:7-8
• Because Jesus shed His blood, giving His life for me, by faith in Him I am now given His righteousness (justified). Romans 5:9
• Jesus took the full weight of God’s wrath for me, saving me from that which I deserved. Romans 5:9
• I was an enemy of God…but my relationship to God has been repaired…reconciliation has taken place… because of Jesus death for me… now I have life. Romans 5:10-11
• The law of God shows me how short of God’s holiness I come, and how great a grace I have received. Romans 5:13-17
• Through man and one act of sin I was born a sinner… Through one act of sacrifice I was saved from my sin. Romans 5:18-19

Choose a passage to go through yourself and ask God to direct you to the gospel truths found there. Remember the gospel this week!

Reason # 6 Sufficiciency in the Gospel

Let's call it "The One Step Program...To Life and Godliness". It seems that today you can find a multi-step program for any problem you have, or pursuit you engage in. It's comforting to know that for the one who has believed in the gospel of Christ:  "...His divine power has granted everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3)

"The gospel serves as the means by which God daily constricts me into what He wants me to be and also serves as the channel through which He gives me my inheritance every day of my Christian life. (Acts 20:32) Hence it could be said that the gospel contains all that I need 'for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) It is for this reason that God tells me to to be steadfastly entrenched in the gospel at all time and never allow myself to be moved from there. (Colossians 1:23) The mere fact that God tells me to stay inside the gospel at all time must mean that He intends to supply all of my needs as long as I am abiding in that place of luxury (Colossians 2:8-10; 2 Peter 1:3)."  -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.18

Paul wrote to the Believers in Philippi and expressed a confidence he had for them that was rooted in the gospel:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11)

We too can be confident that God will complete in us what He began when He opened our eyes to the gospel. It is in the gospel we find our sufficiency to "be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" because we have "been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ." 

Saturday Song

This past week I have posted the first 5 reasons why Believers should preach the gospel daily to themselves that Milton Vincent presents in His book "A Gospel Primer for Christians". A couple years ago when my wife Lorna first read this book she asked me, "So how do you preach the gospel daily to yourself?" I told her that I like to listen to music that speaks of the gospel. And that was all I had to say. I now have come to realize that there is so much more that can be, and should be, given as an answer to that question. There is so much more that we can be, and should be, doing to keep the gospel before us continually. Again, that is the main purpose of this blog, for myself personally, and hopefully as a resource to others.  That being said, I do believe music is a gift from God and a wonderful tool to help us glory in the gospel.

Music is Powerful

Listening to well written songs that proclaim gospel truths, put to appropriate melodies and rhythms, can be a powerful way to keep the gospel in the center of our thoughts.  We all know how music has a way of getting "stuck in our heads". What better tune to get "stuck in your head" than one that reminds you of gospel truth?  Whether its a hymn, praise song, contemporary, country, or one of a dozen other genres of music, if the content of the lyrics, the message that is being proclaimed, is solidly Biblical and tells me about the gospel, it would be a good song for me to listen to in my pursuit of the gospel daily.  Keeping in mind that we all have different tastes in music, so a song that is helpful for me to listen to may be a distraction to you and vice versa.

My point is this: Music is one of the many tools and resources God has given us through which we can preach the gospel daily to ourselves. So lets use it! Like so many other things, we must be purposeful and disciplined if we are to take full advantage of it. So here is an idea: Find one song each week that proclaims biblical gospel truth to you and listen to it regularly. Trust me, chances are it will get "stuck in your head!" That's a good thing. But so it won't become annoying...the next week find another.  Keep the songs together in a folder on your computer,or in a playlist on your MP3 player. It doesn't have to be a new song...you may already have it in your collection, but separate it out or make a list. After a few months of faithfully doing this you will have developed a good selection of "gospel music". Think what you will have if you do this for a year! So to help you out, and to keep myself  going on this, each Saturday I will post the "Saturday Song". I will recommend to you a song that proclaims gospel truth and you can check it out and see if it is something you would want to add to your collection. So here we go!

The "Saturday Song" I recommend to you this week is "The Precious Blood" by Sovereign Grace Music. This beautiful song proclaims powerfully just how precious the blood of Jesus is that was shed for us (1 Peter 1:18-19). If you are not familiar with Sovereign Grace Music, let me encourage you to check out their music as they put out A LOT of quality, gospel centered, biblical music. As a bonus, they are having a huge sale right now on their CD's and downloads! You can listen to sample clips on their website and much of their music is available on iTunes as well.  Here is are some of the lyrics from "The Precious Blood:

"And who am I that I should know
This treasure of such worth
My Savior’s pure atoning blood
Shed for the wrath I’d earned
For sin has stained my every deed
My every word and thought
What wondrous love that makes me one
Your priceless blood has bought

Oh, the precious blood
That flowed from Mercy’s side
Washed away my sin
When Christ my Savior died
Oh, the precious blood
Of Christ the crucified
It speaks for me before Your throne
Where I stand justified"

(complete lyrics here)

Links:

Song: The Precious Blood

Album: Valley of Vision

More good music: Sovereign Grace Music

Reason # 5 A Cure for Distrust

"Distrust" has a very long history in the human race. It's beginning was a seed of distrust planted by satan in the garden of Eden. "And he said to the woman, '...Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” .... The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!  “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1,4,5). Satan was in essence saying "Can you really trust what God has commanded of you?" The seed would sprout into a distrust in the command God made to not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, and that distrust led directly to disobedience.

"Every time I deliberately disobey a command of God, it is because I am in that moment doubtful as to God's true intentions in giving me that command.  Does He really have my best interest at heart? Or is He withholding something from me that I would be better off having? Such questions, whether consciously asked or not, lie underneath every act of disobedience.


However, the gospel changes my view of God's commandments, in that it helps me to see the heart of the Person from whom those commandments come. When I begin my train of thought with the gospel, I realize that if God loved me enough to sacrifice His own Son's life for me, then He must be guided b that same love when He speaks his commandments to me. Viewing God's commands and prohibitions in this light, I can see them for what they really are: friendly  signposts from a heavenly father who is seeking to love me through each directive, so that I might experience His very fullness forever. -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.17

Oh, if Adam and Eve would have trusted that God's command was the very best for them! What is amazing is that God did not abandon mankind in our state of distrust, but immediately set into action His plan to show the world that He does desire what is best for us, as quickly demonstrated when God kept Adam and Eve from eating from the tree of life which would have condemned the human race to an eternal life in their fallen sinful state, separated from their maker. But nowhere do we see a greater demonstration and proof that trusting in God and His commands is the very best for us, than in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When I know and believe the gospel, and it is in my thoughts often, I find great confidence in God's commands, and a growing desire to live obediently to them. Why should I preach the daily to myself? The seeds of distrust that satan is still sowing today, will find no fertile soil in the life of one who's heart and mind are saturated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reason #4 Transformed by Glory

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1 (NASB95)

We are blessed to live in a time of such technologically advanced tools of discovery. The Hubble Deep Space telescope is allowing us to see more of the glory of God that is revealed in the heavens than ever before. Images like this dust cloud surrounding a giant red star that is located 20,000 light years away, on the edge of our Milky Way Galaxy, powerfully declare the glory of God to those with eyes to see.


Source: Hubblesite.org

But much like the power of God is more clearly revealed in the gospel than in the eruption of a volcano, so too, the glory of God is more powerfully seen in the Gospel than in the lights of the heavens.

"The glory of God is the most powerful agent of transformation available to mankind. It is so powerful that it transforms those who merely gave upon it. The apostle Paul gives personal testimony to concerning this stunning fact. 'But we all," he says, 'beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." 2 Corinthians 3:18 From Paul's testimony I learn that if I wish to become all that God wants me to be, I must behold His glory each day.

But where do I find God's glory to behold? Indeed, the glory of God is revealed throughout all of creation, but the Bible indicates that, outside of heaven, the glory of God in its thickest density dwells inside the gospel. It is for this reason that the gospel is described in scripture as 'the gospel of the glory of Christ' and 'the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.' 2 Corinthians 4:4 Consequently, as I habitually gaze upon the glory of the Lord revealed in the gospel, I can know that actual deposits of God's very glory are attaching themselves to my person and transforming me from one level of glory to another. 2 Corinthians 3:18 This transformation is deep and abiding, and unfadingly displays the glory of God to others." -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.16

As a believer I don't need a deep space telescope to see the glory of God.  I can see it every day in it's most powerful display, in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. But just as the scientist must point the telescope in the right direction to behold the incredible sights found in the vast universe, so too I must daily point the telescope of my mind and heart to the unfathomable beauty of the gospel. So here is another reason to preach the gospel daily to myself. May God grant to me daily the grace to see His glory though the gospel, and that I would in turn reflect His glory to others.

Reason #3 My Daily Protection

When I trust in Jesus Christ for the salvation that He offers, my role in that salvation does not become a passive one.  God’s Word over and over calls me to persevere in my walk of faith.  In Colossians 1:29, Paul says “…I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” It is because of God’s power at work me that I am able to do so, but my responsibility to labor and strive must not be overlooked.  The danger is that that I so easily default to a labor and striving that is in the power of my own flesh, leaving the gospel out of my daily experience, when it is the gospel that is the power of God. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; see yesterday’s post)  Milton Vincent gives us this insight:

As long as I am inside the gospel, I experience all the protection I need from the powers of the evil one that rage against me. It is for this reason that the Bible tells me to ‘take up’ and ‘put on’ the whole armor of God; and the pieces of armor that it tells me to put on are all merely synonyms for the gospel. Translated literally from the Greek, they are: ‘...the salvation…the justification…truth…the gospel of peace…the faith…[and the]…word of God.’ (Ephesians 6:14-17) What are all these expressions but various ways of describing the Gospel? Therefore, if I wish to stand victorious in Jesus, I must do as the song writer (George Duffield) suggests and ‘put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.’ 

That God would tell me to ‘take up’ and ‘put on’ this gospel armor alerts me to the fact that I do not automatically come into each day protected by the Gospel. In fact, these commands imply that I am vulnerable to defeat and injury unless I seize upon the gospel and arm myself with it from head to toe. And what better way is there to do this than to preach the gospel to myself and to make it the obsession of my heart throughout each day?”  -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.15

So here is yet a third reason to preach the gospel daily to myself.  This week I am doing this by reading Romans 5 each day, and making a list of gospel truths found there. You can see Mondays blog for how you too can do this.

Reason #2 It is the Power of God

Why should I preach the gospel daily to myself? It is the power of God!

Romans 1:16 (NASB95)For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB95) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

"Outside of heaven, the power of God in it's highest density is found in the gospel.  This must be so, for the Bible twice describes the gospel as "the power of God."  Nothing else in all of Scripture is ever described in this way, except for the Person of Jesus Christ. Such a description indicates that the gospel is not only powerful, but that it is the ultimate entity in which God's power resides.

Indeed, God's power is seen in erupting volcanos, in the unimaginably hot boil of our massive sun, and in the lighting speed of a recently discovered  star seen streaking through the heavens at 1.5 million mile per hour. Yet in scripture such wonders are never labeled "the power of God." How powerful, then, must the gospel be that it would merit such a title! And how great is the salvation it could accomplish in my life, if I would only embrace it by faith, and give it a central place in my thoughts each day!"  -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.14

In 2006, with a small group friends, I climbed to the crater rim on Mt. St. Helen's. The volcano had just been re-opened to climbing after being closed for nearly 3 years because of new volcanic activity. Specifically, it was erupting. The picture below that I took looking into the crater shows tells the story. What we gazed upon was a crater over a mile wide and half mile deep that was left after the May 18, 1980 eruption. That eruption equaled 24 megatons of thermal energy and displaced 3.7 billion cubic yards of material. But that's not the whole story. In contrast to the power that obliterated such a large portion of the mountain, was the force at work in rebuilding it. From October 2004 to late January 2008, about 125 million cubic yards of lava had erupted onto the crater floor to form a new dome—enough to pave seven highway lanes three feet thick from New York City to Portland, Oregon.  The smoldering mound you see in the middle of the crater is the lava dome that had been growing at a rate of a dump truck full of material every 15 seconds. It was still growing as we stood there and beheld its immensity; the rock fall was almost non-stop. I have never personally witnessed anything that visibly demonstrates physical power like that volcano does.

 

Yet this is not even but a puff of air to our great God. And as helpful as such things are in letting us catch a glimpse of how powerful the God of the universe is, these things are not the power of God. Only the Gospel and Jesus Christ are given that title. It is a testimony to our wretched, sinful condition, that it takes the power of God to remove our sin. Much greater than the power that was released on May 18, 1980, in the heart of that mountain, is the power of God that is at work in removing the sin from the heart of one who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Do you want to see power on display? Look no further than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reason #1: My Daily Need

A major inspiration for me to start this blog was the book "A Gospel Primer for Christians" by Milton Vincent. I highly recommend it as a valuable resource for your personal edification. In it Vincent offers 31 compelling reasons for Believers to preach the gospel daily to themselves. I would like to begin this blog's life by passing on those reasons to you. So here we go.

Reason #1: My Daily Need.

"The Gospel is so foolish (according to my natural wisdom), so scandalous (according to my conscience), and so incredible (according to my timid heart), that it is a daily battle to believe the full scope of it as I should. There is simply no other way to compete with the forebodings of my conscience, the condemning's of my heart, and the lies of the world and the devil than to overwhelm such things with daily rehearings of the gospel" -Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p.14

1 Corinthians 1:21 / 1 Corinthians 1:23 / 1 John 3:19-20

We are a weak, forgetful people, are we not? Our flesh never rests from, or forgets about, tempting us to sin. Our deceitful hearts never miss a beat in trying to condemn us for sin that was nailed to the cross with Christ and removed from us as far as the east is from the west. Satan and his army never retreat from the front lines of battle against God's people. And so too we would do well to never rest, miss a beat, or retreat from rehearsing the gospel to ourselves, which is the only answer and hope we have against our flesh, our deceitful hearts, and satan and his world system.

Where to Start
Here's one idea that I'm going to do this week. Preach the gospel daily to yourself this week by reading Romans 5 each day. Yep, every day. Don't think you have time? It's 21 verses. If your a slow reader like me, you can read it thoughtfully in under 4 minutes! But I propose you take more than 4 minutes. Why don't you take 10! Spend the first 5 minutes reading it "thoughtfully". By that, I simply mean think about what you are reading. Then spend the next 5 minutes going back and make a list of gospel truths that you can preach to yourself. Use the first person singular in making your list. Here is what I mean:

I read Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ".

I already can add several awesome gospel truths to my list:
1. By faith in Christ I stand before God as one who is completely justified (which means when God looks at me He sees me as righteous) not by what I have done, but because of what Christ did for me. v.1

2. Because I am justified I have peace with with God because of Jesus Christ. This means where once I was an enemy of God, I now am a friend of God! v.1

That all there is to it! Here's some pointers:
1.Pray that God would give you understanding as you read, study, and make your list.
2. Ready the whole chapter every day.
3. Take your time going back and making your list of gospel truths - you have all week!
4. Try to understand as much of the text as possible.
5.Get a good commentary that can help you to dig deeper into the text. John MacArthur has a good commentary on the whole bible, as well as commentaries on the individual books of the New Testament.

So there you go...one specific way you can preach the gospel daily to yourself! There are many ways this can be done...but this is how I am doing this week. I will post my list at the end of the week, and if you make a list this week you can compare your list to mine!

Look for Reason #2 tomorrow!

About This Blog

Welcome to "The Gospel Daily"!

Several times in the past I have been tempted to start a blog. After all, it seems like a cool, hip thing to do. In addition I have heard and read encouragement given to pastors by other pastors who believe blogging is more than just a "cool, hip thing to do," but that it can be another effective tool to communicate to people, well, things that are important to communicate. But there are many tools of communication available today, and one must decide which are the best to use at any given time. Lately, two things have convinced me that a blog may be just the tool I need right now. First, a blog may be just what I need to develop a discipline that is lacking in my life right now. Second, a blog may be just what I need to further communicate to others, well, something that's worth communicating. The discipline I hope to establish in my life is that of preaching "the gospel daily" to myself. And what I believe is worth communicating to others is why and how everyone should do this. So here I go... spread the news... Pastor Steve has a blog!

Let me briefly give you my vision for this blog. I desire first and foremost that every person come to a saving faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life. But beyond this, God's Word tells us that the Believer is to "continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel you have heard" (Colossians 1:23). If I am to not move away from the "hope of the gospel," then it should go without saying that I would consider it, ponder it, meditate on it, and plumb the depths of it; and all of this I should do often. But the sad reality is that we often go for days without giving much thought to the gospel and its implications in our lives. And I fear we often go much longer than "days" without doing the hard work of digging into the depths of the gospel, allowing its richness to effect every aspect of our daily life. So my hope is that this blog would be a resource that you can tap into for help and encouragement to preach the gospel daily to yourself. As I seek to do this in my personal life, it is my desire to pass on to you, through this blog, the resources, thoughts, writings, sermons, videos, music and more that I find helpful in this pursuit. If this sounds like it might be helpful to you, then bookmark the blog, or subscribe using the "Subscribe to" buttons in the right column (This will allow you to be notified when there is a new post.). It is my goal that this be an expanding resource that gets broader and deeper as the days go by and content is added. Please give me any helpful feedback you might have regarding this blog by replying with a comment or e-mail me through my profile page found in the right column.