The Gospel: The Good News for Everyone

It’s Not What’s on the Outside That Defiles a Person

One of the greatest misunderstandings about the Gospel is the belief that people must first clean themselves up before they can come to Christ.

Many people who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, or who struggle with various sins and life issues have become so conscious of their humanity that they feel disqualified from receiving Jesus.

Sadly, some have heard religious messages that caused them to believe they must change themselves before God will accept them.

But the Gospel teaches the opposite.

Jesus said:
“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.”
(Mark 7:15)

The issue has never been outward appearance.

The issue has always been the condition of the heart.

The Enemy’s Greatest Distraction

One of the enemy’s greatest strategies is to keep people focused on themselves instead of Christ.

He wants people consumed with their failures, weaknesses, labels, and shortcomings.

He wants them asking:
    •    Am I good enough?
    •    Have I done too much wrong?
    •    Will God accept me?
    •    Can I ever change?

As long as a person’s eyes remain fixed on their humanity, they may never look to the Savior.

Many people have become more conscious of their orientation, their past, their mistakes, or their struggles than they are of God’s grace.

The enemy knows that if he can keep people focused on themselves, he can often keep them from receiving Christ.

Salvation Is Not Earned

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5)

Salvation is not something we earn.

It is not a reward for people who have fixed every flaw in their lives.

It is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.

If a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they are saved by grace through faith.

No one is saved because they achieved perfection.

Everyone who is saved is saved because of Jesus.

The Real Danger

The real danger is not that people recognize they have struggles.

The real danger is allowing fear, shame, rejection, condemnation, or religious misunderstanding to keep them from Christ.

Jesus said:

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already…” (John 3:18)

Notice that Jesus points to faith in Him.

The issue is not whether someone has flaws.

The issue is not whether someone has struggles.

The issue is not whether someone has a past.

The issue is whether they receive the gift that God has already provided through His Son.

The Space Suit Illustration

Imagine you and a friend are preparing for a trip into outer space.

As you are getting ready, your friend says:

“You can’t go into space wearing those clothes.”

At first, you may think he is judging you.

You may think he is criticizing how you are dressed.

But then he explains:

“The atmosphere in space is different. There is no oxygen. If you go into space as you are, you will die. You need a space suit because your current condition cannot survive in that environment.”

The issue isn’t your clothes.

The issue is that you need something that can sustain your life.

The answer is not trying harder.

The answer is receiving what has already been provided.

In the same way, humanity cannot survive eternity apart from Christ.

Our own righteousness cannot save us.

Our own efforts cannot save us.

Our own works cannot save us.

Jesus is what God has provided.

He is our righteousness.

He is our life.

He is our salvation.

The question is not whether you have flaws.

The question is whether you will receive what God has provided.

The Church’s Assignment

The Church should never make people feel as though they must become perfect before they can come to Jesus.

Our assignment is not to magnify people’s failures.

Our assignment is to magnify Christ.

We are called to preach the Gospel.

We are called to proclaim grace.

We are called to point people to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is fully capable of transforming lives.

Our responsibility is to introduce people to the Savior.

The Good News

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

The Gospel is not:

“Change first, then come.”

The Gospel is:

“Come to Jesus and let Him begin the work.”

Every person regardless of race, background, failures, struggles, sexual orientation, or past mistakes can receive the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The good news is not that some people are worthy and others are not.

The good news is that Jesus came for all of us.

And everyone who believes in Him can receive eternal life.

The Gospel is not about how bad humanity is.

The Gospel is about how good God’s grace is.