Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
Philippians 2:6-11
The gospel is what defines our existence. We are called believers only because Christ was willing to step into the torrential path of God’s righteous judgment directed at us. His suffering and death satisfied the wrath of God and opened the door to becoming a child of God. By taking God at His Word, that if we choose to trust that Christ took judgment orchestrated for our sin and rebellion, then He will forgive us and adopt us into the family of God. The Holy Spirit indwells those saved by grace and we become His dwelling place; the temple of the Spirit and the sanctuary of Christ in us. We are the church of Christ, filled and empowered to carry out the mission of Christ.
The gospel should define the way we live. Christ surrendered the eternal fellowship of the Godhead, emptied Himself to take to Himself flesh and blood and live in humble obedience to the Father. We call this His incarnation. Jesus’ entire way of life modeled the essential nature of the gospel. Philippians tells us He not only emptied Himself but took the role of a servant and humbled Himself by being obedient even to the point of death. This is the paradigm of the gospel. Christ was motivated by the eternal purpose of the Father and was driven to seek and save that which was lost. What else really matters? Certainly, we can keep busy doing stuff, but all that will pass away. Our occupation, our hobby, our fanatic passion ought to be the gospel of Christ. The gospel not only changes our eternal trajectory, but it ought to change the manner of how we live.
The gospel should reflect our values. Values shape behavior, and like some, I have not always made decisions that are grounded in the gospel. Matthew wrote, “… where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” In other words, what we truly value, that is where we will invest our whole heart. We will put the time, effort and energy into that which we truly value. Like Christ, we are to empty ourselves, take on the role of a servant, and be obedient even to the point of death so that we do all things for the sake of the gospel.
The gospel is a message of God’s grace. John captured this by reminding us that God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save it. The one who believes in the Son will be saved but the one who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). This may not sound like grace, but we need to see an entire world is already condemned. Grace is not so much just patience, but God’s generosity to provide what is necessary and sufficient for life and godliness. The gospel is God’s generous, necessary and sufficient provision for life and godliness for all, who by faith, place their confidence in Christ.
The gospel exposes the evil in humanity and the glory of God. This Friday is called, “Good Friday” or holy, because as horrific as Jesus’ death is, it is an event that expresses the goodness of God towards lost humanity. Certainly, Sunday is resurrection Sunday and an event that validates our faith in Christ. If Christ had not been raised, then our faith is worthless. The gospel does not just “get us saved,” but sets forth a new manner of life that mirrors and imitates the example of Christ. All I can say is that I have much to learn. Blessings.
Pastor Brad Little
