The Gospel’s Clarity is Intentional
The particular genius of the Gospel is that it focuses on the singular issue that keeps us separated from God. Because of this characteristic, today’s theme becomes even more significant.
The Gospel’s clarity is founded on the fact that God is not trying to resolve every issue we have before our relationship with Him is restored. The gradual, but steady, process of transformation is already a part of the plan. Too often, and for too many people, there is a “pre-righteousness” mindset. It’s the idea that we have to “fix” ourselves before we come to God. We have to become holy and clean, and then we come.
This is not only wrong, but it is also the exact opposite of what God has designed in the Gospel. When the Gospel is declared, and we understand how terrible the problem of sin actually is, we must make a decision. Will we accept the offer of redemption or will we not?
The offer of salvation offered in and through the Gospel is clear. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. In his death, the repeated sacrifices of animals in the temple were completely abolished. What’s more, the quality and scope of Jesus’s sacrifice are both sufficient and efficient to save all who trust in him. And it doesn’t matter when they trust in him. God will apply the promise of salvation to all who believe.
The Gospel’s Clarity Leads to Sanctification
The Gospel’s clarity is what makes it effective. When we complicate it, when we try to help it along, when we miss the essential point of it we make it harder for people to know what they are being asked to do.
What makes the Gospel particularly beautiful is that it is so clear, we think we have missed something. There are many who think there must be more to what God is asking of us. Those who wonder about this would not be wrong about the question. They would just be asking it at the wrong time.
Sanctification is the word describing the process of becoming more like Jesus. This process is initiated at the moment of salvation. It does not precede it. This is a big part of the problem. When we fall into the trap of thinking that we have to fix ourselves before we come, we are essentially saying that sanctification has to happen before redemption.
To fully appreciate the Gospel’s clarity we should consider that it is clear enough for a child to understand. A child can understand the reality of sin. Yes, it is at a child’s level. But this doesn’t diminish their ability to grasp what is being asked of them.
A child knows when they have been disobedient. A child knows when they have fallen short of their parent’s desires and expectations. A child knows when they have offended their parents. And when the parent corrects their errors, instructs them in proper conduct, and extends to them grace and mercy, those same children can understand that too.
Once I began to appreciate this aspect of the Gospel, I was overwhelmed by a sense of peace. The Gospel is not complicated. The Gospel is not intended or designed to be complicated. And because of its clarity, the Gospel can have the effect God intended in my mind and heart.
