Overcomer or Monster? Answer: Neither

So I was listening to Songza today and had it on the "Hit Christian Songs Playlist."  I was amazed at two particular songs that played back-to-back (as these two songs share where current Christianity has gone). 

The first song was "Overcomer" by Mandisa.  This has been a hit ever since it came out Aug 27, 2013.  It's a total pump-up song as it encourages Christians that they can overcome any barrier or challenge before them, because God is with them.  It's a great message, although it tends to focus more attention on the human effort during life's challenges and you only hear about God in the bridge.

The second song was "Monster" by Skillet.  This is a darker song, with some great, chunky, electric guitar.  This song expresses John Cooper's feelings of being a monster - most likely the result of sin.  It's a song expressing a the agony of doing what he doesn't want to do and not doing what he wants to do.  It can be a rather depressing song if you don't listen to it from a place of grace.

These are two great songs, but I fear that they represent a lot of Christians, and what Christianity has become.  On the one hand, we have Chriatians who think it's all up to them.  Sure, God will help them along, but it's really up to them and their efforts to succeed.  On the other hand, we hear this song about feeling like a monster!  The painful reality when we realize that our efforts simply aren't good enough.  We can't cut it...but aren't we overcomers?  Don't we just have to try harder?  No!  It's not about doing more or trying harder.

It's about grace.  It's about the love God has for us and the actions He took by sending Jesus - sacrificing His only Son for monstrous lives like ours.  Because of this sacrifice, and the victory that came with it, we no longer need to feel like monsters. At the same time, we are not overcomers.  GOD is the Overcomer!!! 

We would be wise never to forget this.  No overcoming that happens in our lives is of our own doing.  It is the Kingdom Transformation that the Spirit is working in each of us.  

What is the GOSPEL?

I've been reading a fantastic book, The Good and Beautiful Life by James Bryan Smith, as part of a book study for my internship.  It's the second book of a trilogy (although it's the first from the series that I've read).

In chapter two, Smith shares about "the Gospel many people have never heard." What he means by this is the implications of the Kingdom of God.  Smith reminds us of the Gospel we're used to hearing: 

"God loves you.  But because of your sin, you are separated from God and cannot have a relationship with him.  Jesus died for you, and made provisions for your sin.  Through believing in Jesus you can know and experience God's love and receive eternal life." 

This seems like a decent summary of the Christian faith right?  Except this isn't what Jesus came to preach.  When Jesus started his ministry, he didn't proclaim: "Hey everyone!  Come to me!  I'll fix the issues you have with sin and that'll be that!  You'll be square with God and enjoy eternal life."

When Jesus started his ministry he proclaimed: "Repent, for the kingdom of God/heaven has come near." (God or heaven, depending on which author you're reading).  I don't know why it is, but when people hear the idea of the Kingdom of God, the common perception is that this is a place to look forward to; it is a futuristic experience, in a location far from our current reality.  If this is where you're at, I highly recommend checking out Smith's book as well as "Surprised By Hope" by N.T. Wright (it might take a while to get through, but I promise it's worth it)!

The Kingdom of God is indeed yet to be fulfilled (something we can look forward to).  BUT, Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom had come near.  That it wasn't distant.  It is present even now!

In Philippians 2:5-7 we read: "...Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness."  Christ was with the Father, yet became human.  The One who was within the reign of God, now came to earth to live among humanity.  In Christ's living He provided, on earth, what the Kingdom of God looked like.  In Jesus' life, we can know what the Kingdom of God is like.

And as Jesus often did, He flipped humanity's perceptions upside-down to match the ways of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus' disciples are those who are open to the transition from us ruling our own lives, to a life where God is the ruler and in full control of every aspect of our life.  Jesus made Himself nothing so as to reveal to us what it means to live in the Kingdom - to take one's proper created place before the Creator.  He humbled himself to become obedient to death, even death on a cross!

To live a GOSPEL life is to live within the Kingdom of God.  That is what Jesus came to preach.  So why is it, that when it comes to evangelism and "sharing the Gospel" many of us seem to leave out the crucial point about the Kingdom of God?  It's almost like we panic and grab hold of one foundational piece to what we know about Christianity (namely, Christ).  But the next time we have a chance to share with someone about God, we would be wise to calm ourselves of that instinctive panic, and rely on what we know to be true and allow the Spirit to guide us through the conversation:

Jesus Christ, who being very nature God didn't considered equality with God something to be exploited.  Rather, he became nothing, taking on the form of a slave.  He did this as an example to the whole world about what the Kingdom of God is like.  An all-powerful, all omnipotent being taking on the opposite role and elevating the outcasts.  He revealed what humanity was designed for - to dwell in the Kingdom of God.  And through his life and sacrifice, we have the opportunity to be transformed into Kingdom People.