The essence of Gospel

    I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

We hear watered down versions of Christianity from the pulpit, with the blind leading the blind in the valleys of the shadows of prosperity, so that we fear neither the evil nor the God of all creation. God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there is any one who understand, any who seek God, and there was none.

So, what is the essence of the Gospel? Why is it a smell of death arising from death of one and a smell of life arising from life for another? Let us look at the Lord’s Prayer to glean some insights on our condition.

Our father in heaven…

Yes, not the father in earth, but the One in heaven, far above the principalities and powers of darkness, far above the corruptions and temptations that so easily entangle us. Above all. Yet very near. Who enables us to call Him as Father. Very near to the broken and contrite. The word “near” in Hebrew translates as “karov” which means “close enough to touch”. So, when He says that He is near to the broken heart, it means that He is near enough to be touched.

Hallowed be thy name…

This is our key to holiness. When we keep His name Holy, sanctify and set apart the name of God in our hearts, He sanctifies us. What happens when we are sanctified? The scripture says, “for by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified”. Sanctification leads us to perfection for all time. It makes us sure on our standing with Christ.

Thy Kingdom come…

These are profound words, yet I will highlight just one aspect of its meaning. Kingdom is a place where God reigns. Where He makes His dwelling. Where He is honored above everything. Yet, Jesus says, the kingdom of God is within you.

Yes, God wishes to dwell in our hearts. Jesus says that He and the Father will come and dwell in us.

Thy will be done…

We have many bible references which tell about the will of God. But none clearly shows better than the One man who was crying alone in the garden, exhausted beyond  threshold of His sanity, speaking to his Father in heaven, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.”

The One who lived the will of God. The lamb slain before the foundation.

Give us this day our daily bread…

As CS Lewis puts it, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Lord, let me look unto You for the daily bread, the source of infinite joy and peace.

Forgive our trespasses…

Dear Father, I have nowhere to go. Yes, I have sinned against You and my heart is slowly getting harder by the deceitfulness of sin. Yet in You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared. Let me never fall into the delusion of my own righteousness, lest I judge my brother not seeing the plank in my own eyes. Embrace me and hug me, and draw me close to You.

Lead us not into temptation…

He is able to save the uttermost those who come to God through Him. I find my temptations stronger than myself, yet I trust You Lord, that You will make a way out, so that I can stand up under it! You will deliver me from the evil one.

For Thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory!

Yes! My Lord will ask “O death, where is your sting? O hades where is your victory?” For, He is the King!

In closing, let us meditate on the following verse,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.

This is the essence of the Gospel. That we can also be where He is!

 May God bless you.

Bro Gideon Paul Rufus R

God’s love missions family