It Ain’t Advice

“The beginning of the Good News about Jesus the Messiah ,the Son of God”                                                                                                                        Mark 1:1 (NIVUK)

In a sermon recently preached by Dr. Benji Kelley of New Hope Church in Durham North Ca-ka-lackey (North Carolina) on Mark 1, Dr. Benji really struck a chord with me just by staying in the first verse. He said that what is said here is what separates Christianity from every other world religion to include no religion. Every other religion likes to give us advice. Now he did say that we can get great advice from great people and that it can be inspirational to us. But at the end of the day advice is just advice and that it has an element of burden to it. You still gotta do something.

Christianity is not advice; Christianity is Gospel Good News and we need to receive it with great joy. Advice can be of great benefit to us but do we really receive it with great joy? Now if you are lifting your holy hands in the air when your wife advises you that the shirt you picked out for that date night dinner doesn’t go with your Dockers and you should try a different color well then hallelujah  for you ‘cos that ain’t me. But when it comes to Gospel Good News we need to receive it with great joy.

During his message Dr. Benji made use of a really cool term by saying that Mark was using a Greek word that “carried great currency” to his readers. I like that term because that Greek word is “euangelion” and in ancient Greece it designated the reward for bringing good news. Guess being the bearer of good news in the ancient world came with a material possession? But not with Gospel Good News, it requires nothing on our part. When we receive Gospel Good News nothing from us is needed, wanted or even worthy enough to give in return…unless you want to include the surrender of self? (Yeah I went there, deal with it!)

To be homiletically speaking, the Gospel is spoken in words. The Gospel is embodied in deeds and sufferings (yes there is Good News in suffering, deal with that too!). The Gospel has power. The Gospel came from YHVH who alone is able to impart the blessings it promises. The Gospel comes to all people whether you be blessed with provision or not, because without it you still are a wretched person (see Romans 7:24). The Gospel proclaims pardon for sin, brings peace to your conscience, renewal for your whole nature, guidance and strength for your spiritual walk, it is your salvation and the Gospel will bring you eternal life…if you chose to receive it!

So in short Christianity is Gospel Good News, it ain’t advice. You need this Good News. This Gospel Good News and the grace it has for you is sufficient for you!! This Gospel Good News is offered and adapted for you. But the kicker here folks is that this Gospel Good News alone blesses you and when you receive it…you get to give it away to bless others. So this Gospel Good News is sharable. You can share advice if you want to but it doesn’t need to be received with joy! But The Gospel…now that’s Good News. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and contributes weekly to our Freedom Fighter Blog

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 27-29; Hebrews 4

Quote of the day:  “If the devil were wise enough and would stand by in silence and let the Gospel be preached, he would suffer less harm. For when there is no battle for the Gospel it rusts and it finds no cause and no occasion to show its vigor and power. Therefore, nothing better can befall the Gospel than that the world should fight it with force and cunning.”—Martin Luther

Bible Memory: You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments. Psalm 119:65-66