God the Context

Scripture: Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Hebrews 4:1-2

Observation: There is an interesting evaluation of the difference between those who believe in Jesus and those who don't, and it is in the concept of the "value" of the gospel. For those who believe, the gospel is amazing. However, for those who don't - those that do not share the faith or combine their hearing about Jesus with a faith - the gospel has "no value." None.

Application: This information again addresses the idea of how Jesus is perceived differently by those who enter in the hearing about him with a lack of belief in God. There is again a baseline concept that people need to have before learning about Jesus - they must believe in the existence of God. With just that minimum faith - a faith that even just says "maybe there is a god" - the gospel of Jesus can take hold. With a faith that says "I believe there is one God but I don't know anything about him and maybe even distrust or hate him," the gospel can not only take hold, but it can transform a life.

I try to imagine what the gospel of Jesus must sound like to someone who doesn't even believe God exists. There is no context ... no introductory clause. The gospel cannot begin with "for God so loved the world". It can't even begin with the negative statement that God judges sin for which no man is good enough to atone.

Again, I am reminded of this context in reaching other people. We can and must talk about the good news of Jesus, but even the gospel has the context of God - Yahweh, Jehovah, Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai, Abba - and when a person is completely missing that context, it is likely the gospel is worthless. God is the beginning and the end of the conversation. God is the great point ... we were created to worship, honor, and enjoy him for eternity. Jesus is our redeemer who provides the only way for that to happen. As I go forward to speak to others, may I ensure I discuss the context as well as the good news itself.

Prayer: Dear Lord, my Lord and God, the great God the creator, God almighty, my master and my father ... I love you. I am not often a worthy son. I am, in fact, unworthy, which is why the great salvation of faith through Jesus is a miracle of your love. Today, I pray for those who do not know you, Lord. I pray for those who are ignorant of the idea of a creator and most powerful God. But most of all, I pray for those who have chosen to deny you. I pray for the angry, the hurt, the sick, the lost. I pray for those who have blamed you for the consequences of their actions, or evil brought on them by Satan, and have cursed you in their hurt and anger. I pray they realize that they cannot hate something that does not exist, and therefore it is their very hatred that shows you are real. In that context, they can at least hear about your true love. Please be with those people today, Lord. I know your love is overwhelming and the all consuming quality of you, and that you love them even in their broken hatred. Please bestow your love on them this day. Amen, and amen.