Are you an expert in the gospel? That which Paul claimed to be of “first importance,” which is that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4), is this what you are well trained in?
“All Christians,” writes Milton Vincent, “should become experts in their knowledge and use of the gospel, not simple so they can share it faithfully with non-Christians, but also so they can speak it to themselves everyday and experience its benefits.”
We must understand that the gospel is for Christians. True, it’s through the hearing of the gospel by which we are saved, but we never move beyond it. Nor does there come a time we do not need it.
It’s by the gospel that we are transformed as we understand it more completely. As we hear, read, mediate, and memorize the glorious truth of God’s grace found in the person and work of Christ, our hearts are compelled to follow the one who gave himself up for us.
Therefore, we must work at becoming experts in the gospel. We must not become weary from “preaching the gospel to ourselves” each day. We must seek to memorize and meditate upon gospel passages such as Ephesians 1-3, Colossians 1-2, and Romans 1-11.
“If Christians would do more preaching of the gospel to themselves,” writes Vincent, “non-Christians might have less trouble comprehending its message, for they would see its truth and power exuding from believers in indisputable ways.”
So will you work at becoming an expert in the gospel? Will you daily place in front of your eyes, ears, mind, and heart the wonderful grace of Jesus?
Everything in our world speaks against the truths found in the gospel. Our world is not full of grace and mercy, but rather unforgiveness and disdain. Therefore, we must daily seek to know the reality that we are “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Col 3:12). And we must become experts in such truths!!
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