In the previous post, we looked at the Gospel’s Focus. That the good news of Jesus Christ is found in his death, burial, and resurrection. And by this, the problem of sin is dealt with. Sin is the obstacle that prevents me from having a relationship with God. Therefore, if this issue is not resolved, then I am unable to reestablish any fellowship with God. I do not have the ability to live according to the righteousness God requires in my own strength.
The Gospel’s Purpose Restablishes Fellowship
This latter reality is the Gospel’s Purpose: To reestablish fellowship between human beings and God.
The Gospel addresses the issue of sin so that I might have fellowship with God. That is why the Gospel exists, must be proclaimed, and ultimately believed. Every single one of us needs to have fellowship with God. In that fellowship, we can finally discover our purpose and live in peace. Without that fellowship, we flounder trying to determine why exist.
Of the many reasons we struggle in life, our limited knowledge and wisdom create the greatest challenges. When we try and make decisions, chart a course for living, or simply try to communicate with others, we are limited by what we know. And potentially harmed by what we don’t. The difference between these two is not always felt. But the risk is always present.
Decisionmaking in the Dark
So often in life, we make decisions and choices in the dark. We really don’t know what we should do next. No matter how hard we try. We try to mitigate the mistakes we make. But that only works when we have a sense of the scope of the consequences. And again, most times we simply do not.
In reality, we are just doing the best we can. And there is nothing inherently wrong with this.
But what if we could consult with someone who knew what was coming? What if we could seek the wisdom of someone who had “seen in all before”? How would that change how we live?
I think it would reduce the anxiety many of us feel when trying to make sense of the world. Having someone who can warn us of danger and redirect our steps would save us a lot of heartaches.
However, what tends to happen is we dismiss this possibility when it comes to God. We have been trained to believe this is wishful thinking. That to trust in God is to rely on whims of fancy. But, who else can we trust?
The Gospel Addresses the Fundamental Problem
The Gospel speaks to the critical issue hindering us in life. We are not perfect. In every case we can imagine, we are deeply flawed. Sometimes bemused by our own decisions. At other times because of the decisions and actions of others. Regardless of the reason, the truth remains the same, we are all looking for something that will make life easier. Or at the very minimum, more tolerable.
Why then does faith in God get dismissed? Could it be because we inherently know that our fellowship had been broken? That there is something that must happen in order to re-enter the conversation with God?
It may be difficult for some to see this, but I think this is more the truth of the situation than many are ready to admit. We all instinctively recognize that if we are flawed beings there should be at least one being marked by utter perfection. It only makes sense. And yet, when offered an opportunity to explore the possibility of having a relationship with such a being, it is cast aside.
This is truly a remarkable set of circumstances.
The Gospel Speaks to our Deep Longing
So, what does this have to do with the Gospel’s purpose? Namely this: if one of the greatest longings of the human soul is to find perfection, then why do we balk at the idea of that perfection being found in God?
If God exists, he would have standards. And those standards would be far more demanding than any we could think up. And this is the reality that the Gospel posits.
God exists. And God has standards. But he has also provided a way of resolving the problem. We have to trust in the method and means God has provided for the restoration of fellowship.
God is not asking us to pay for the reason the rupture in fellowship exists. That is not God’s demand or expectation.
What God asks of us is to accept the way he has provided to reestablish fellowship.
