Some things just cannot be improved on. Not that people do not try. There always seems to be someone who either wants to reinvent the wheel or improve how something is built or done.
Education is a hot item for change right now. Is public education good or failing? What are the benefits or problems with school choice? Recently, there has even been talk of scrapping the Department of Education! For me, we need to get back to the basics in education and a whole lot of other things.
The 3 Rs of education—reading, (w)’riting, and (a)’rithmetic—are still essential to a sound, practical education. Various learning approaches and strategies have been tried, but the basics, and even the old one-room schoolhouse environment, have great merit.
Fads and trends come and go in most areas of life, especially regarding diets. The essentials of good nutrition, limiting calories, and regular exercise are still fundamental to good health. I know there are all these “miraculous” supplements, but what seems best to me is to seek out healthier foods and eating habits.
So it is with the Christian faith, especially its core—the gospel. Experts and influencers push new and different paradigms and approaches, but the redemptive story of God’s love is still the most simple and powerful element of Christianity. Can we improve on it? I do not believe so. Nope, not at all.
Sharing the gospel
Over the years, I have heard sure-fire ways to share the gospel. The intention is that people would be convinced after hearing one of these approaches. The problem is one size does not fit all. Not everyone has the same life experience and background, and cultural influences also are a major factor.
Another difficulty is being so focused on the approach. We might have the “perfect” methodology but fail to connect with people in a personal way. People sense whether we are concerned for them or more concerned about what we have to say to them.
When I was wandering in spiritual lostness and under the influence of a mind-altering substance, a couple of college guys approached me to witness to me. I was in a different reality and mindset than them. After sharing their plan of salvation with me, they tried to fend off any resistance I might have. They told me, “You can still have a sports car and be a Christian!” I was not in the least interested since I subscribed to the popular mantra of the day—turn on, tune in, drop out.
I shared some of this in the first book I wrote several years ago. For years, I have seen evangelism and sharing the gospel reduced to “Jesus died for your sins.” While this statement is true, it does not tell the complete story—the gospel story of redemption.
The 3 Rs of the gospel
The essential gospel (my version) has three elements — He (Jesus) came, He died, He rose. These three key elements are also embodied in what I see as the 3 Rs of the gospel — relationship, redemption, and restoration.
We find these three Rs throughout the Scriptures. The Apostle John also sums up these three elements in his first epistle —
- Relationship — 1 John 1:3
- Redemption — 1 John 1:7
- Restoration — 1 John 2:1-2
Relationship
Relationship with God has always been at the heart of the gospel. For starters, God created humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26, 27). Abraham, the man of faith, was a friend of God and considered righteous because he trusted in God (James 2:23). And faith itself is about relationship—
Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. (Hebrews 11:6 NCV)
Jesus called His closest followers, “friends” (John 15:15) and was condemned for being a friend with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19)
Relationship with God should always be our priority when sharing the gospel because relationship is at the heart of redemption.
Redemption
Redemption reveals the heart of God. We find this expressed clearly in the first eighteen verses of John (John 1:1-18), the Prologue, which summarizes the entire book of John.
It is easy to get caught up with terminology and definitions when explaining redemption. A straightforward way to describe it is the act of rescue and reconciliation, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.
If our intent in sharing the gospel is not reconciliation, then we are missing the point, a point illustrated by the three parables of Jesus in Luke 15 with the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Finding them brought immense joy, just as there is when someone repents and returns to God.
Restoration
I sum up the idea of God’s work of restoration as the last element. This brings us back to the beginning again.
What was lost in Eden, Jesus restored on the cross. The redemptive work of Jesus restores humanity to a state of innocent relational trust, which Adam and Eve knew in the beginning.
This points us toward the end of the age, as seen in the book of Revelation. We look forward to the Lord’s return for His restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 21:3-5).
Keep it simple and true
There is much more that we could say about these truths but is not necessary. Sharing our faith and God’s story of redemption should be both simple and true, not clever.
God desires a relationship with all people. He created us for that purpose (Ephesians 1:10). Relationship with God comes through faith—trusting in Him and His work of reconciliation on the cross.
Deep down, everyone knows they need restoration. As King David declared in his beloved psalm, “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3). This is what a world wandering in darkness seeks. As followers of Christ, the Great Commission charges us with sharing this story of redemption with those who lost and wandering in this world (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).
When was the last time you shared the gospel and your story of faith with someone?
