When starting a New Year, it’s always good to get perspective. To remind ourselves of what is truly important. Our problem is, as much as we may hate to admit it, the things we value are often temporary things. It’s time to be reminded again of eternal things. Jesus continually tells the disciples (and us) that we are not to treasure things that don’t last (Matt. 6:19 - 21). The Apostle Paul reminds us the same thing in essence “seek things above, where Christ is -” (Col 3: 1 - 4). Peter warns of how our lives look when we “forget we’ve been cleansed from former sins.” (2 Peter 1: 3-9).
If you are like me, (and even if you don’t think you are.. YOU ARE), a New Year reminder is in order… In fact, this is something we are to dwell on continually… daily… moment by moment… The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is what is eternal. This good news of God’s sacrificial love isn't just about “being saved” and the rest is up to you. The gospel is too big for that… way too big! The gospel not only saves us, but also causes our Christian growth, and keeps us until Christ’s return! This is the reason Paul is so upset at the Galatians (Gal. 1:6) .. They had ceased to remember that Jesus was sufficient and that NOTHING could be added to what He has already done for us!
Jared Wilson in his great book, “Gospel Deeps” writes; “…So the gospel Jesus preaches in his earthly ministry inaugurates the kingdom on God by announcing that he is at work to reverse this entire curse! By declaring his own sinless kingship, he is proclaiming that he will personally redeem what Adam (and we) personally cursed. By casting out demons, he is demonstrating that the spiritual forces of wickedness that reign over the cursed earth are being overthrown and conquered. By performing miracles he is providing signposts to the kingdom’s consummation, offering glimpses of the day in the age to come where there will be no sickness, no death, no deformity, and no lack. By teaching in parables, he is showing snapshots of what redeemed life inside the kingdom looks like.
By going to the cross, he offers himself as the propitiating sacrifice for the sin that caused all the breakdown to begin with. By rising from the grave, he presents the first fruits of the kingdom’s consummation…. The big picture of all that Jesus has done and is doing, then, encompasses our personal forgiveness and eternal relationship with God but is scaled larger scale to fit the scope of the restoration of a fallen creation. … This is the fullness of what the gospel is all about.” - Jared C. Wilson, 2012, “Gospel Deeps”: Revealing the Excellencies of Jesus” Wheaton, Crossway Books, pg. 34-35. (emphasis mine)
This coming year, let’s make the priority of proclaiming, obeying, and living according the gospel of Jesus… It’s the eternal plan of God, and the only thing that really satisfies and lasts!
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