10/3/25

This week, we had a conversation with a CSUF student who we've talked with previously. He was initially an agnostic, but, after conversations with one of our student evangelists, he came to confidence that Jesus certainly lived, died, and resurrected - thus deeming Him God. All of this he believed and affirmed to me; however, he still didn't want to follow Jesus in every-day devotion. Below is the conversation we had with this student as we worked to explain why following Jesus in full devotion was inherent in the purpose and message of Jesus. Feel free to listen to the recording below (or read the transcript) to hear how that conversation went. The background noise is a bit obnoxious, but it is what it is.

The issue that I was primarily addressing in this conversation is a false understanding of the message and ministry of Jesus. We engage with this improper perception very regularly - that Jesus came with moral suggestions and paid our bill to save us from hell. This improper and reductionistic view of the message of Jesus has led to a syncretic and merely moralistic view of Jesus and the Gospel. However, a proper and clear understanding of the actual Gospel Jesus came bearing provides substantial clarity in almost every misconception we engage with. Whether teachings of baptismal regeneration or this instance of antinomianism, the Gospel of the kingdom of God brings clarity on all of these issues. Jesus very clearly came with the Gospel of the kingdom (Mt 4:17; Mk 1:14-15; Lk 4:43; Mt 9:35; Lk 8:1; Acts 1:3; etc.), and this provides profound insight and clarity into what salvation is and how we attain it. Often times, people preach a gospel that only focuses on what we are saved from after we die but neglect the extremely significant part discussing what we are saved from now and what we are saved into. The Gospel is not just about saving us from hell, but rather about saving us from the kingdom of death and darkness. This Gospel inherently necessitates participation as you didn't just get a train ticket to God's kingdom to cash when you die, but you actually get a doorway to enter that kingdom now. Jesus came with a message that was long awaited by the Jewish community and spoken of throughout the Law and Prophets beginning in Genesis. Here are some of the passages leading up to this Good News Jesus came preaching:

Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:5-6; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 26:3-4; Genesis 28:13-14; Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 89:29; Psalm 89:36-37; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-10; Isaiah 42:1-7; Isaiah 49:5-6; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-28; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 5:2-5; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:1; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:2-5; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 5:2-5; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:1; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:2-5 

These are just from the Old Testament and not an exhaustive list, but hopefully this gives a slightly more rounded view of what anticipation and context Jesus came and spoke into. The New Testament is absolutely packed with teachings about the Gospel of the kingdom of God (heaven), and it is certainly Jesus' main message.

If we understand that the Good News is about the kingdom where God rules and reigns - as well as our invitation to enter it - we resolve so many of the popular issues often resulting from moralistic or legalistic reductions/distortions. Jesus isn't just saving me from cosmic parking tickets, but something far more powerful than that. God is restoring the perfect creation that He established in the beginning - saving it from the rebellion that brings death and chaos. How does it make sense to accept Jesus' offer of rescue from the death and destruction which naturally results from rebellion, and yet resolve to live in rebellion to Jesus' Lordship? There can be no anarchists in the kingdom of God.

“He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot