The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We understand that is why we share Christ with lost people. But why do so many Christians never share Christ? I will propose the reason we do not share the gospel is because the gospel no longer influences and shapes our lives after we are saved.
Philippians 2:1-12 speaks about the gospel. But it explains the gospel through the life of Jesus, not just dying on the cross but through his incarnation, life, suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation. Philippians 2:5 tells us we are to have the same mindset as Christ, so as we imitate Him, we are allowing the gospel to shape our life. Here we learn five (5) characteristics of a believer whose life is truly shaped and influenced by the gospel.
- Selflessness: “do nothing from selflessness or empty conceit…”. If a believer values the gospel in their life they will live a selfless life. Selfishness comes from forgetting Christ forgave our sins and placed us in a community of other sinners He redeemed by His sacrifice. If you read the first four verses of Philippians two, that deep four-fold culture of fellowship and love, is always fostered by selfless people, never by selfish
- Surrender – “He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but He emptied Himself.” Christ surrendered His eternal mode of existence with the Godhead to become flesh and blood. He surrendered His privileges, rights, freedoms, advantages, entitlements, that He had shared for all eternity to carry out the plan of redemption. Show me a believer who is more concerned about their rights and freedoms, I will show you someone who selfishly is more concerned about themselves than others. Their life is not being shaped by the gospel.
- Servant – “… He took the form of a bondservant…”. Jesus became a servant. In the context of the gospel, Paul did not say He came as a king, or a preacher, or a miracle worker, or pastor or prophet. There are all kinds of roles he could have given Jesus, but he chose the title of servant. Why? Because the plan of redemption (the gospel) required a servant. There are many things that only a servant is both able and willing to do that those who are gifted and talented will never do. Show me a child of God who knows how to live as a servant, and I will show you a person who will get things done for the sake of the gospel. Show me a person who is more caught up with gifts, talents, and their abilities, and I will show you a person who will think being a servant is beneath them.
- Sacrifice – “…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”. Only selfless, surrendered, servants are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. If any one of these characteristics are missing, you will find sacrifice to be difficult. When the gospel shapes a believers heart, they will make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel.
- Success – “…therefore the Father has highly exalted Him…”. Notice that true success does not come until after death and it comes from the Father, not other humans. When the gospel truly shapes a believers heart, the only celebration they want to hear is from their heavenly Father. Earthly rewards mean little to those who have the mindset of Christ. The one measure of success that a true selfless, surrendered, servant of Christ wants to hear is simply, well done my good and faithful servant!
In His grace and kindness,
Pastor Brad Little.
