The Gospel Calls Us

by Chris Simmons

In the first letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul noted that the gospel had not only come to them (“our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction,” 1:5), but had gone forth from them (“the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you,” 1:8). Those who received the gospel clearly understood the obligation to share the good news with others.

The gospel indeed calls us to respond to its invitation of forgiveness, salvation, mercy, and grace. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The gospel is God’s means of extending His “salvation through sanctification.” Having been so blessed by God, Paul understood that the same gospel that called him to salvation, implored him to share it with others – with the world. While on Paul’s second preaching tour, Luke records in Acts 16:10, “And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Paul understood the calling of the gospel included more than his salvation, but the responsibility to preach the same gospel to others.

In Matthew 10:8, one principle that Jesus taught when He sent out the 12 apostles to preach the gospel was “freely you received, freely give.” I’m convinced this had to do with more than just the exercising of the spiritual gifts they had been given, I believe it included the gospel itself. As noted in verse 14 of that context, the focus of their commission was the sharing of the words of the gospel. “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words … shake the dust off your feet.” The same principle established with the twelve applies to us as well. The very gospel that calls us through faith and obedience to salvation also calls us to give what we have received. Later, before His ascension, Jesus once again commissioned the apostles to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Paul understood his duty to be more than simply a recipient of the gospel, but to use it for the glory of God and the growth of the Lord’s kingdom. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:1, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” As a steward, Paul was accountable for how he used and cared for the gospel that had been revealed to him. Later, in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.” Paul understood the critical importance of maintaining the purity of this gospel entrusted to him (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:13) and of “handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 4:15). The gospel is not just to be received, but used and shared accurately and powerfully.

As already avowed, the gospel calls us not only to salvation, but to use it as stewards in order to impact the lives of others. It is not up to human wisdom to determine how the gospel is to be used, but the gospel itself teaches its stewards how it is to be used. The bulletin article last week by David Diestelkamp began this thought process as he wrote of the need to use the gospel to (1) “compel” others to respond (Luke 14:23). As noted above, Paul understood the need to (2) “preach” (Acts 13:32) and (3) “proclaim” it (Acts 13:5). The gospel also calls us to (4) “persuade” (Acts 18:4) and offer a (5) “defense” of the gospel (Philippians 1:16). We are also called through the gospel to both (6) “warn” (1 Thessalonians 4:6) and (7) “remind” (1 Corinthians 4:17). We also see biblical examples of using the gospel to (8) “encourage” (Acts 11:23) and (9) “strengthen” faithful brethren (Colossians 1:11). Finally, the gospel calls us to (10) “reprove,” (11) “rebuke,” and (12) “exhort” those who stray from the truth (2 Timothy 4:2). All of these are accomplished by the same revealed body of truth referred to as “the word of God,” “the faith,” and “the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:4-12). We ought to pray for the wisdom to recognize when each is needed and be ready when the need arises.

The gospel is most certainly powerful (Romans 1:16) and we are promised that it, the word of God, is capable of making us “complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ASV). If we are “diligent” (2 Timothy 2:15), we will become skilled in all of our responsibilities that the gospel calls us to. In future articles, Lord willing, we will take a more in-depth look at each of these duties the gospel calls us to as stewards of the gospel.