Christian Living

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THE GOSPEL AS A BIG SHOVEL

The custom of “filling-in the gaps” is a common practice in modern 21st century American culture. Perhaps more common than you think. For example, that’s what cosmetic make-ups do, as it fills in the imperfections of the skin in order to give a smoother, more even look. Filling-in the gap is what we do when we get leather shoes shined. Essentially shoe polish acts like make-up, filling in the nicks, holes, and scratches in the leather to give a cleaner finish. We replace missing tiles, wear toupees, fix broken shingles, re-sod patches in lawns, and use dentures to make our smiles complete. Everything from school answer sheets to kid games- we are surrounded by the same concepts over and over: filling in the missing pieces to get the more complete thing.

It’s no wonder then that we treat the Gospel of Jesus in the exact same way. We notice the little “gaps” in our lives and think that maybe Jesus can act like the make-up to cover up the blemishes and make things look smooth. We survey our day-to-day imperfections and wonder if there isn’t a “product” that we can use to plug up the spaces, scratches, and holes in order that the world can see how complete we truly are.

Now, we understand that the grace covers up a multitude of sin, and that God can restore what has been taken, and where we are weak God is shown to be strong so that his strength is made perfect in weakness. We understand all of those things. But we limit - No, we insult God’s gigantic plan for the redemption of mankind if we think that the gospel can simply be reduced to something that can fill-in gaps.

I think this type of thinking is a direct result from destructive philosophies that teach us that we are doing okay and God is here to ensure that we’ll be doing better soon. That somehow God has made it his priority, throughout the vastness of the cosmos, to ensure that you and I have everything we need, so that we are happy and comfortable.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is less like make-up, which fills in the gaps, and more like a giant mechanical shovel at the end of those yellow bulldozers that excavate the earth and make great big holes in the ground. His work in the cross is like those massive machines that move tons of dirt at a time. He doesn’t fill in little holes to make your lives better- He make great big ones in order to collapse the foundations of your comfort and illusions, in order that you can see what great thing he has done in saving sinful men by reconciling them with a Holy God.

I heard one pastor say it like this, “the Gospel is not simply the addition of some new sets of morals and ethics to your daily life. It is the massive demolition and tearing down of your life’s fortresses to make room for the true king.”

We may have gotten it all wrong this entire time. We’ve been applying spackle to holes and scratches that we find in the walls of our lives, at the attempt to make things appear nice, neat, and complete. When the whole time, God has determined to tear down those very same walls. Let’s allow the word of God and the Gospel of Christ to demolish entire cities that we have built within our lives, so He can finally sit enthroned where he belongs. Let God dig deep into our lives - as deep and penetrating has He needs to in order to accomplish His purposes for us.

God bless
March M. Villareal
[email protected]

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