A Hole in Our Gospel

Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. That is, a gospel with a hole in it – a gospel that gives us a ticket to heaven and asks nothing in return, a gospel that relieves us of responsibility towards others, towards injustice, towards the poor, perhaps even towards God himself – a gospel with ourselves and our own comfort and fulfillment at the center.

Many writers have noted that the Church in America reflects our times, culture, and values – embracing the gospel of salvation, but much less so the gospel of obedience. sacrifice, and responsibility that Jesus preached.  In his book The Hole In Our Gospel, Richard Stearns likens this gospel “with a hole in it” to fire insurance – we’re covered, and can go on about our business. John Ortberg, writing in God is Closer Than You Think, calls this incomplete gospel “the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven.”
Not exactly picking up our crosses and following….

Both authors point to the unifying theme of Scripture: “Immanuel”, God with us, Jesus coming to earth and bringing the kingdom of God with him.  Both authors go on to note that we have the incredible privilege of partnering with God in what Ortberg describes as “making up there come down here,” building for the kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer does not say “God, get me out of here so I can come up there” — rather, it says “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  Believers and their churches have the privilege of participating in His grand plan, sharing His work.  Granted, this kingdom building will not be complete until Christ’s return, but do we as Christians – during our lives here and now – have the option of turning our back on the world’s problems, on injustice, on the least and the last?  Our Lord Jesus answered this question clearly when He said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

The “whole” gospel tells the story of salvation by grace, through faith, to build – with God – for His Kingdom (Ephesians 2:8-10).  And certainly, one important way to help “make up there come down here” – that is, to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves – is by paying attention to the plight of the least and the last.  As Stearns points out, there are over 2000 verses (encompassing all 66 books of the bible) concerning justice and oppression and poverty; and further, that tangibly loving our less fortunate neighbors here on earth is seen in heaven as loving God (see Matthew 25:40, above).  This biblical call to action concerning the poor is no minor matter – Jesus explicitly and repeatedly links these issues, in his parables, actions, and commandments, not just to building for the Kingdom, but to loving Him.