"The Full Gospel" ?

            I am not sure that what we preach, today, in America is the “full Gospel.” To our credit, we have a great understanding of faith. We understand that salvation is by “grace alone” through “faith alone” in the work of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Rom. 3:23-24). We get that He is the only way to which one gains right-standing with the Almighty (John 14:6). It is correct, and we get it, that one is saved by faith in the Messiah – Jesus.

            However, I believe that there may be more to the “good news” of the Gospel than is taught in our churches. I believe the Bible presents a “fuller” Gospel than what is portrayed on Sundays. One of my favorite Scriptural passages is Ephesians 2:8-10. It is a beautiful declaration of the Gospel (good news). This passage, I feel, gives a broader exposé of the Good News than what we have today. It states:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-10) (ESV).

            This clearly states that we have been saved, through faith, by God’s amazing grace. However, it does not stop there. This Scripture continues by demonstrating that we are saved from works – for works.

            This – works – may be one of the overlooked teachings of the Gospel of Christ. It seems clear that we should put in some effort into our beliefs (even if only for our Christian witness). We know that faith saves us, but we also know that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). I’m not sure why we are not, also, encouraging the Community of Christ to arise and spread the Gospel. Especially if this is part of the Good News we have received. I think that works may by an overlooked teaching to the Gospel message. If we believe in Jesus, it would make sense for us to follow Him as well.

            Finally, I feel this passage also states that the Gospel is incomplete if it leaves out the Spirit of Pentecost – the Holy Spirit. Yes… we are saved though faith in Jesus, but we are also called to work with the Lord. It is not until we commit our lives to Christ when the Holy Spirit comes to make us a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). It is from there (out of our new identity and purpose) that our works should be produced (Eph. 2:10). Unless we know that we are “born-again” and have been reconciled to God, we can do nothing for the Lord. Besides, does not our Sacred Text show the Holy Spirit to be the deposit for our salvation? Does not the Bible state that it is through the Holy Spirit that we can do Kingdom work (2 Cor. 1:22; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Cor. 6:11). “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” so that we may work with Him toward His eternal purposes.

            If the Gospel is incomplete without the outworking of our faith and without the Spirit of Pentecost, what conclusion should we draw? What, then, is the “full Gospel”? Perhaps we should not only have faith; maybe we should live by the Spirit of God so that He can produce His great and mighty works through His children.

            Be blessed! Dusty