The Gospel for Every Day Living

Last week I was able to go and have coffee with one of my precious mentors. It was so nice to be able to sit with her for 2 hours. I feel like I bombarded her with questions.  We talked about many things from Bible Doctrine to time management tips. I took away several lessons from our conversation, but if I could sum up our conversation in one phrase it would be: “the Gospel isn’t just for salvation but for everyday living.” I had heard her use the phrase before, but on this morning those words washed over me in a whole new way.

What is the Gospel? It is the message of Christ’s submission to God the Father by his death on the cross. The gospel is the good news that Christ’s death provides an atonement - or payment - for our sin so that we can have a personal relationship with God the Father here on earth and in eternity. In order for us to have that relationship, there is a personal death that must happen. At salvation, we die to ourselves by admitting that we are in need of saving from the punishment of our sin and in faith we turn to Christ repent of our sins and trust Him alone as Savior.  

Just as we have to die to ourselves at salvation, we also have to die to ourselves every day. Every day, we must make the choice to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We must die to our desire to be in control and to be comfortable. We proclaim the Gospel in our lives everyday when we chose to put away sin and pursue holiness.  Every day we can use the Gospel message of Salvation. It isn’t something that can be left behind the day our personal relationship with Jesus Christ begins. This daily submission to the Lordship of Christ is part of our sanctification. In this daily submission, we acknowledge the truth of the Gospel everyday.

At the stage of life I am in right now, the Gospel for everyday living means that I have to wake up each morning and serve my family no matter how tired I am. It means that I will do the daily household tasks with joy. It means that I will discipline my 2-1/2 year old when it would be easier to let it slide. It means that I will not nag my husband. It means that I will study God’s word when I would rather do something else. It means that I will walk away from the conversation that turns into gossip. I will put to death the selfishness, desire to be in control, and laziness that wants to reign in my flesh and live in the grace that comes with dying to yourself and living under the Lordship of Christ.

“The he said to them all “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Will I make the choice to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ today?  What needs to be put to death in my life today?