The gospel of Jesus has always seemed a little too simple for some
By Dean Collins
What is the standard by which we evaluate another person’s actions and behaviors? The apostle Paul’s love and compassion for his brothers and sisters in Corinth is a demonstration of grace and, at times, tough love. Tough love doesn’t back away from truth or doctrine but is always filled with grace and compassion.
Paul’s experiences should remind us that no matter what we do in our attempt to love and serve in the name of Jesus, there will be those who doubt us, criticize us, and compare us to others who may be more culturally relevant or possibly just present a shinier or fresh view of the gospel. The problem with newer gospels is that they may be far from what Jesus actually taught; they may even forget what he came to do for humanity on the cross.
God’s ways or cultural wisdom?
In between 1 and 2 Corinthians many scholars believe Paul went to Corinth in person to address some of the difficult issues in the church and to reconcile strained relationships. In 2 Corinthians Paul continued to assure his love and to clarify any misunderstanding of his motives and the purpose of his ministry.
Paul’s summary of his words and behavior is clear: “The testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.” But some wanted more than simplicity and godly sincerity. They wanted Paul’s gospel to better reflect the wisdom and ways of the world. I suspect this same problem exists in our current moment. Is it possible that we may be guilty of wanting to tweak God’s words to fit cultural wisdom instead of simply relying on the wisdom of God?
We must be careful with the temptation to make the gospel fit the never-ending progression of what is right, fair, and best from the view of the world’s wisdom. If we are to follow Jesus, then we must hold tight to what he said and modeled and avoid the tendency to evaluate his words through the filter of current culture. And this will not be easy or popular, but it is essential if we choose to follow Jesus.
New structures or the gospel of Jesus?
Jesus was counter-culture in his time and he will continue to be until he returns in glory. As followers of Jesus, we must resist becoming or saying more than what Jesus said and did. If I am reading Scripture correctly, we are all in the same boat. We are morally and spiritually bankrupt due to our sin. It was, in fact, amazing grace that saved imperfect and broken people like you and me. And now we are forgiven based on the work of Christ on the cross and called to live out that grace and love toward others every day so that they too might discover Jesus.
No new systems or structures besides what Jesus offers will ever reconcile humanity. We need no new measurement, but we love one another as he loved us and gave his life for us. By this love the world will come to know Jesus. We will not win the world for Christ by any political platform or through any new way of thinking. Jesus views us all through the same redemptive lens and he calls us to respond to each other on that basis.
Firm foundation or established on sand?
Hear Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
God is offering his Yes to everyone, but it comes only through the cross of Jesus. We can and must find there our identities, our purpose, and our methodology for living including how we treat each other. God establishes us in Christ and anoints us by his Spirit so that we know we are secure in him for eternity. With this assurance we can now love like Jesus even when others will often reject us.
We will never find a gospel that fits what culture wants. A culturally relevant gospel will quickly wash out because it is established on sand. But when we surrender to Jesus we stand on his firm foundation, which allows us to be loving even when the world rejects us.
May the love of Jesus and the simplicity of his gospel guide our steps today for his glory!
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 1:12-14, 19-24 ESV
Photo by Gift Habeshaw at Unsplash
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