A brief glimpse at most Christians will reveal that we do not value the gospel. When the topics we are passionate about arise, we enthusiastically participate in the conversation. We call those who love sports “fans” because they are fanatical about their team. Speak to a car guy about engines, and he will gladly speak for hours. Bring up politics to many Christians, and you will quickly learn about their passion. However, when the topic of the gospel should arise, Christians are strangely silent. Further, as we make decisions, we keep all the other things in mind and forget the gospel.

 

I am convinced that we don’t consider the gospel because we don’t love the gospel. We are thankful that Christ redeemed us. But we are slow to share the good news that Christ saves others. We seek to tone down or change the message because we don’t want to offend others with the reality of their depravity. We would rather not appear like religious fanatics.

 

Further, this attitude reveals that we don’t really love people. We love ourselves and our ideas. We will passionately share our political stands. Because they are our political stands, and often, we share them out of a belief that others are just plain dumb. We passionately speak about the latest sporting event. That is safe and easy. Rarely does a conversation surrounding sports lead to irreparable conflict. We passionately talk about our other hobbies. And we shamelessly brag about our family accomplishments. We willingly do all these things because they are about us and will not result in bad feelings from others.

 

However, we don’t love our neighbors enough to warn them of the coming judgment. Penn Jillette, a noted atheist magician, commented in an interview that he does not respect Christians who don’t share the gospel. If we loved people and we believed they would go to hell when they die without Christ, we would do everything we could to see them come to Christ.[1] Yet, many Christians do not share the gospel. The only conclusion can be that they don’t love people.

 

It might also be that we simply don’t love eternity. We love this world more than the one to come. We love the pleasures of now more than the glory that is coming. As a result, we don’t think of eternity when we make decisions. I remain convinced that many Christians would transform their lives if they thought more of eternity. We have bought into the lie that we are of no earthly value when we are too heavenly-minded. However, we are of no earthly value when we are not heavenly-minded.

 

When you make decisions and form your convictions, you must remember the gospel. We should give up our earthly “rights” so that others might enjoy heaven’s prize. As you make decisions, ask, “Will this advance gospel opportunities or hinder Gospel opportunities?” Prioritize the Gospel.

 

---