Pursuing Gospel-Centeredness, #3

January 31, 2008

This suggestion about pursuing gospel-centeredness will be brief, but important. Also, it may be the one that I personally am most in need of taking to heart. The suggestion is this:

Be happy.

Probably anyone reading this blog knows that the word gospel means, ‘good news.’ And good news should not make a person gloomy! When the angel of the Lord appeared before the shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior, he said,

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.“

Good news of great joy! That is what he Gospel is. In Jesus Christ, God has descended to earth in flesh and blood, revealing His glory and taking on Himself the punishment that we deserved for our treasonous rebellion against Him. There is now no condemnation for the one who trusts in Jesus, and our endless striving for the love and acceptance that we lost in Eden need not crush us with a weight of despair any longer. Jesus absorbed our punishment and provided our righteousness, and by looking back at these extraordinary mercies, we can look confidently to the future that God will withhold nothing good from us (Romans 8:32). Every day should be happy, even in the midst of great trials and heartaches. As Paul said, he was sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). Such should be the disposition of the person who knows God’s saving work in Jesus.

All the right doctrine in the world will not commend the gospel to anyone, if it is not adorned with a deep delight in the good news. If people that we want to help become gospel-centered do not see the profound joy that the gospel awakens in us, they will not feel the need to pursue a deeper foundation in the gospel. So in a very real sense, to help others become gospel-centered we must out-rejoice them.

As I said, I am preaching to myself here. I am not widely known as an exuberantly joyful person. That is to my shame. But by God’s grace, I do believe God has been making me a happier person over the past few months, as the gospel has become more precious in my heart. My prayer is that others will see that, and desire to know the reason for the hope that is in me.

Seeking to adorn the good news with great joy,

Larry

Posted by Larry | Filed Under Random Musings, Seeking Him 

Comments

One Response to “Pursuing Gospel-Centeredness, #3”

  1. Joe on February 1st, 2008 5:38 am

    Lar,
    Just wanted to encourage you to keep things rolling. Still no Internet access, but I think I should be checking in with you by Monday for sure….if the Lord wills.

    I did have the opportunity to look through your posts for a few minutes though and was greatly encouraged. I am sure I am not the only one, so keep it going brother.

    I also hope to check in with a few suggestions for being gospel-centered. I look forward to blogging again soon brother!

    Peace,
    Joe

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