What do you think of the gospel?  It’s what we go to church for.  It’s the glue that hold the Christian faith together.  Take out the gospel, and we are in big trouble.  But what is it and what does it look like?  

I have found that one of the biggest issues with Christianity is the verbiage that is seldom defined.  The “gospel” is one of those words that covers a large amount of ground.  Some declare it good news, all without saying what the good news is.  Yes, salvation can be found in the gospel.  But what are we saved from?  Do I have your mind swimming as much as mine does yet?

Jesus defined it often and from many different angles.  He also took the time to tell us what it looked like.  He talked about ground that was fertile and that which is rocky and that which is in between. We have the classic John chapter 3 gospel about being born again.  He told us about lost sheep, lost coins, and a rebellious son that was welcomed back into family with no questions asked.  He told us he wanted those who believe to be known by our love.  He displayed what that love was by laying his life down.  He told us what true believers do and how they function in Matthew 25.  If you don’t know what it says, do look it up.  You might be surprised.  

All this is true.  All this is the gospel.   Yes, we are saved from eternal damnation, and we are now able to have a relationship with the living God.  But we haven’t talked about the greatest element.  It’s often overlooked.  If we think about it, we will understand the greatness of the good news that really makes it great news.

Recently, I have a relative that recently made a mess of things.  Just like David, Moses, Abraham, Peter, and others, he erred and erred big.  I would love to say his friends and family in the faith ran to him, only that would be a lie.  They shut him out.  Even the church locked the doors to him.  You would think he had spiritual leprosy.  If we were observers, we might think he was one of the thieves on the cross at the crucifixion.  

Even people of the faith don’t tend to run to those suffering from their decisions.  We tend to isolate and incriminate.  Then we wonder why those who are on the outside don’t want to come in.  And yet, that is the greatest element of the gospel as far as I am concerned.  The gospel makes it possible for those who are on the outside to come in.  

No one can out sin the grace provided by Jesus.  I’ve heard many say they have sinned too much.  The Bible says that.  It says, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  All means everybody.  So, what is the hope if we have all fallen short and thus not allowed in.  

Some say we have to become good people.  I don’t buy that one.  The Bible lists no standard to fill in order to be declared righteous by our works.  That would be a cruel God to have a certain list of behaviors and not share it, leaving everyone guessing.  

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit had an answer.  God was going to have to provide a way for man to be allowed in the kingdom of heaven.  So, the Son of God obeyed his Father and came to earth to rescue us from our sin.  There was only one way.  The one who was righteous had to die.  Die he did.  It was possibly the cruelest death ever recorded.  He was our sacrifice and took our sin on himself.  Even the Father forsook Him in the final hour.  He opened the door.  Jesus made it possible for those on the outside to come in and eat with him.  Eat.  Not just talk.  Not just have a gaze.  Eat.  Sit down and let’s eat.  “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  Answer and I will come in and eat with you.”  Revelation 3.  It’s always about what Jesus has done and will do.

All we have to do is believe and follow.  That’s it.  He knows we will still not get it right.  He knows there will be times we deserve to be on the outside looking in.  But, and it’s a big but, he keeps the door open.  Come on in.  Sit down.  Let’s eat.  

Jesus told us he wants us to do the same as him.  He wants us to be known by our love, not our critique.  He wants us to eat with sinners.  He wants us to invite the outsider in.  Why?  We were once outsiders.  We were enemies of ourGod.  But (there is the best word in the Bible once again), He promised we would never be on the outside again.

Church, open the doors.  Figure out how to love with the love of Christ.  Give water to those who are thirsty.  Provide food for those who are hungry.  Get clothes on the naked.  Sick, take care of ‘em.  Strangers, open the door for them.  Those imprisoned, visit them; they need to not just hear about Jesus but see him as well.  These Jesus described as the “least of these.”  Why?  They are on the outside looking in.  It’s time to come in.  Jesus opened the door.  It’s the gospel.  It’s good news.  No, it’s great news.