Recently I was on mission to an English university. Throughout the week we filled the campus with great zeal to share the gospel with any and every person we encountered. We stood in the freezing rain handing out flyers. We engaged students in dialogue after evangelistic talks. And we asked people to take a survey that would map their worldview.
One of my favorite questions to ask students was, What do you think the message of Christianity is? I was surprised at the range of answers I received. However, even more surprising were the people who claimed to be Christians yet could not state or explain the good news.
I remember very clearly hearing John Piper say that we never, never, never outgrow our need for the gospel. No doubt Piper is correct. But how can we continually reflect on the good news and remind ourselves of its majesty and beauty if we can’t even articulate it?
I met several people on the campus that day who told me, It doesn’t matter which God you believe in, as long as it brings peace to your life. Really?
C.S. Lewis wrote two sentences to put that idea to bed:
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
Many have gone before us and staked their lives on this gospel being true. Christians everywhere are called to do likewise—no matter what other people believe.
If you follow Jesus, make sure you know the message. Get a clear picture of what Christians have been saying since Jesus died. And then—because it’s of infinite importance—proclaim it out of love for others.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. –1 Peter 3:15.
This video is a beautiful, simple portrayal of the εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion):
