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The Difference Between the Fake and the Real
Have you ever heard someone state something with so much conviction and clarity that you thought it certainly must be true? Then, after a few minutes of thought, it becomes more and more absurd? I think that happens a lot today. With so much news out there, it’s difficult to sort through the true and fake, the slanted and the accurate. Unfortunately, I’m not just referring to political rhetoric as this same problem can be found in the sacred thoughts being slung around culture. Doctrinal, theological, and church cultural thoughts emerge that sound very accurate but under closer scrutiny become very muddy. I can especially see this with how Western American culture handles the Gospel.
I must ask, have we forgotten that the Gospel is for everyone? Is it possible that we believe the Gospel is only for those who look like us? How did we allow melanin, country of origin, class, and social status determine who is and who is not welcomed into the Kingdom of God? Somehow, we have learned how to talk out of both sides of our mouths. Out one way we say, “God, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Then out the other end we say, “You, other person, are not welcomed here.”
The Church of America sends hundreds of parishioners to Central American countries every single year. They go to preach Jesus, help build buildings, feed the poor, and help Central Americans have a better way of life. This is good. However, when a caravan of these same people say, “Maybe instead of staying here, we should go there,” some from the same Church deny them, vilify them, and degrade their identity. Now look, I am no legislator. I do not believe I can figure out America’s immigration problem, but I am a Jesus follower. I do believe that I can state, with conviction, that Jesus is for all peoples and all nations.
Jonathan Martin said recently, “Fake good news only benefits me or my tribe. Real good news benefits ALL people.” If the Gospel only benefits a few, it is not the real Gospel. If the Gospel saves only one person’s tribe, it is not the real Gospel. If the Gospel is only good news to a few, then it cannot be real Good News. How is this so debatable?
This radical view that the Gospel and the Kingdom are for all people is not new. This all-encompassing, border-shattering, racial-affirming, class-blending, people-accepting message is thoroughly biblical. It is wholly God’s heart. Let’s explore this a bit by looking at what the Bible says about the Gospel. I’ll emphasize a few words and all Scripture is out of the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. — Genesis 12:1–3
May God be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor so that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, God; let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for You judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth. Let the peoples praise You, God, let all the peoples praise You. The earth has produced its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him. — Psalms 67:1-7
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19–20
For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. — John 3:16–17
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself — a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. — 1 Timothy 2:1–6
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! — Revelation 7:9–10
Trust me. There are so many more passages than this. I didn’t even mention the myriad of passages where Jesus breaks down cultural and racial divides. Think of His interactions with Samaritans, tax collectors, and Romans.
What does the Gospel that you preach look like? What does the Gospel that I preach look like? I certainly can admit that I tend to look through the world through a very small and unholy lens. I’m not trying to imply that I have all of this figured out.
Just recently, a person whom I’ve never met interacted with me on Twitter. What he said wasn’t even divisive, but I looked at his profile and immediately saw the things that could cause division between him and me. I quickly threw up my guard. “Why is this person even talking to me? We’re so far apart. He’s not even worth my time.” God, as you could imagine, smacked me in the face. I could almost audibly hear Him say, “What if he’s the lost sheep?” Why would I suppress this person? God’s correction can be sharp, yet it can be so sweet.
Is the message of the Gospel, which I declare, just for myself and my tribe? No. It’s for everyone. It’s even for those who do not look like us, speak like us, think like us, or value like us. I believe some have lost this vision. I believe we need to bring it back.
Come heal now
Take away the blindness
So we can see what we were meant to see
We feel light devastating darkness
Oh I can see another day come
I can see another day come — The Brilliance
