A Simple Gospel

Once upon a time, a father had a son. The son was much loved, and adventurous and creative. One day the son decided he wanted to start his own venture, but he needed capital. So he asked his father for an early inheritance. The father wanted to do it WITH the son, but he loved his son so much he gave him the money and his independence. The son left with his money and broke the fathers heart. Every day the father would look out the door hoping to see his son, but to no avail. Till one day many years later, he finally saw him coming a long way down the road. The father didn't stop to put his shoes on; he just ran to grab his son and hold him. The son was broken and ashamed and filthy, but the father didn't care. He had his son back. 

Fear is a powerful influencer, but it's a lot like an abusive spouse. You either submit to its tyranny or leave it...often to find other fears. 

The church has used heaven and hell as very powerful gospel tools. They are quite effective...until they aren't. They get you to sign up for the product, but the reward system is impractical. I mean, how do you know you've chosen well until you die? 

Jesus never used those tools. He loved and hugged. He healed and set people free. He talked about Kingdom. He said the way to the kingdom was wholeheartedly following Him. He talked about living a whole and restored life. About trusting God in the moment for your daily needs. If He expressed anger it was towards the religious leaders not walking in love and promoting behavior over relationship. He made wine for drunk people. He paid taxes with fish money. And, He said He only did what He saw the Father doing. Jesus is not the nice version of the Father; He and the Father are one. (John 10:30) 

Shame is not part of His plan. That's a tool of the enemy. We can't agree with that. Conviction is a tool of the Holy Spirit. Shame drives us away from God, conviction drives us to Him. Shame says, I suck. I'm worthless. I can't be with Him because I'm dirty. Conviction says, Woah. This isn't good. I need to take this to my Father. I can't fix it on my own. His ideas are full of life. And He has the best hugs. 

The whole purpose of life with Him is that we become like Him. Because we become like the people we are with. Salvation is not about fire insurance. It's about becoming a son and daughter and changing the world.