Focus: The Gospel Of Personal Consumption

Text: Jh.6:26

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did EAT of the LOAVES, and were filled."

This statement of Christ is a serious indictment on many Christians who claim Him as their Lord and Savior. A lot of us are following Christ for what politicians in certain parts of the world would term as 'stomach infrastructure.' Paul talked about those "whose end is destruction, whose GOD IS THEIR BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS." (Phil.3:19).

Christ has become a kind of crutch for many. He has become in our lives just a means to an end, not an end in Himself. The modern gospel is not different from pop psychology. 

We seem to have reduced the gospel of saving grace to an existential gospel that is totally devoid of eternal substance.

It focuses solely on what God can do for us here and now. It is man-centered gospel, not Christ-centered. God exists for our physical, material, mental and emotional needs. It is the kind of gospel where God does all the giving and we do all the receiving, and if we should give at all, it would be very little out of the much He has lavished on us. It has little or nothing to do with the gospel that makes demands of us.

It is interesting and touching to know that at the instance of Paul's encounter with the resurrected and ascended Christ, he asked the Lord two fundamental questions. The first is: "Who art thou, Lord," and the other is: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do" (Act.9:5,6). For the first question of identity, Jesus reveals Himself to Paul, and says, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." For the last question of destiny or mission, Jesus says to Paul, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou MUST DO" (Act.9:5,6). 

There is something you must do after believing in, and knowing Christ. The gospel involves believing, knowing, obeying and doing as well as receiving or enjoying.

When Isaiah encountered the King of glory, the question posed to him by the Lord was, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah's response was, "Here am I; send me" (Isa.6:8). The gospel is beyond personal consumption. It is responsibility. God has work to be done, and He wants us to do it. Our names have been shortlisted for the job. Everyone born of God has automatically received an appointment letter for a divine task. You have become an employee of God. You have been saved to help save others. Different parts of our body are now extensions of Christ's own body. He owns us and our resources, and He pays so well for job well done.

The gospel is kingdom-connected. Jesus says, "Fear not, little FLOCK; for it is your FATHER'S good pleasure to give you the KINGDOM" (Lk.12:32). Mark three descriptions from this Scripture. 

First, God is our Shepherd, and we are His flock. 

Second, God is our Father, and we are His children. 

Third, God is our King, and we are His kingdom subjects. 

He has not only promised to give us our daily bread, but also to give us the kingdom. The kingdom is not bread-and-butter affair, for Paul has declared that "the kingdom of God IS NOT MEAT and DRINK; BUT righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17). Daniel says, "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan.11:32). 

Knowing God means for us, becoming responsible citizens of Christ's kingdom, and getting poised for action.

Prophet Amos declares, "Woe to them that are at EASE in Zion, and TRUST in the mountain of Samaria…" (Ams.6:1). If the fire of the gospel is burning in us, we can't afford to be complacent nor settle comfortably in our comfort zones.

The gospel that has conferred on us privileges and benefits has also placed upon us demands and duties. Our faith is not a personal or private affair. Our faith, like cough, cannot be hidden. Our faith is contagious. You can't have it, and then sit tight in a place, doing nothing. Jesus Christ says that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Light and salt are powerful and impactful forces. Their energy and effect cannot be ignored or suppressed.

The gospel is both enjoyable and demanding. It is the gospel of the alabaster. Mary had to empty the contents of it on the Lord, and everyone in the room enjoyed its sweet fragrance. It is the gospel that made Joseph of Arimathaea give his unused tomb for Christ to be buried in it. It is the gospel that made Joseph and Nicodemus do everything in their power to ensure that the Lord Jesus Christ was properly embalmed and buried. It is the gospel that made Zachaeus eager to part with half of his wealth for the poor and to make restitution for everyone he had at anytime defrauded. It is the gospel that made Barnabas and others to sell houses and landed properties in a bid to advance the church of Jesus Christ on earth. It is the gospel that made Paul to spend and be spent on God's people. It is the gospel that demands that the believer occupies till He comes. It is the gospel that makes us visit Christ in the prisons and minister to His needs. It is the gospel for which the Apostles and many other believers surrendered their lives even unto death. The Bible says, "They loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev.12:11). 

It is the demand of Christ upon us to declare the gospel to the entire world. We are proclaimers, persuaders, compellers, reconcilers, and peacemakers.

The gospel fire burns in the soul. Let it burn in your own soul. Mark reports that Christ called His twelve disciples, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach. We are called to preach, heal, and cast out demons. We have the Spirit's power inside of us to be Christ's witnesses everywhere we go. Yes, the gospel bestows blessings upon us, and also, it demands our obedience, loyalty and commitment! God not only cares, He also commands. Jesus says, "Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men." We are not loafers, but laborers. The gospel calls us both to the table and to action.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter