Jesus has given each believer the authority to make disciples and called us to preach the gospel to our communities, our campuses and our offices.
But preaching the gospel is not the end of it. We must also have it in us to live it out.
The gospel is the good news of what Jesus has done for us and what implication that has in our present lives today. Many of us think that the gospel is just about a salvation message that saves us from hell.
It is more than just that. It is also what empowers us to live our daily lives starting today. We apply the gospel not just to the salvation of our souls, but to our finances, our jobs, our ministries and even our families. We need Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
How often do we find Christians who preach the gospel but do not desire to live it out more and more every day? We think that because we are now Christians, we no longer need the grace of Jesus.
Truth be told, the deeper we walk with Jesus, the more we realise how much of Him we need more and more.
Corinthians 1:17 says, "For Christ did not send me to baptise but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
Sharing the gospel is only partially connected to what we profess with our mouths. It is also what we believe with our hearts.
In Galatians 3:2, Paul challenges us with this question: "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" What if all the while the problem that the un-churched have with our message is that they don't see us living as if we need the gospel in our lives?
I need the gospel every day of my life, and it's not something I boast about. I make mistakes, I fail, I dishonour God in some areas of my life—but that's why I need the power of Christ to be redeemed of my sins and the power of the Holy Spirit to teach me to progress in my relationship with Christ.
Without the grace of God, we cannot experience transformation, and people will know it.
The message of the gospel we preach is not just one of power, but of weakness as well. Many Christians highlight the power of their works when we should be highlighting the power of God's love and faithfulness despite our imperfections. Preaching the gospel is not enough. We must live lives that boldly confess that without God's love we are a broken and lost people—even if we go to church.
