As Christians, it should be our priority to share the gospel on a regular basis, both in word and deed, in our attitudes and outlook. Sharing the gospel also presents itself in how we relate to others, to circumstances and conflicts, even in how we relate to God.

So, lately I’ve been asking myself, “What is the gospel that I am presenting to others?”  Am I presenting the gospel according to my perception of how I’m feeling? Do I feel particularly benevolent that day? Do I feel good about the way I’ve been behaving? Maybe I’ve been falling short in some important areas and been feeling kinda guilty. Maybe I’ve suffered disappointments over a period of time and I’ve begun to put an unconsious spin on the Gospel. Perhaps even in my own prejudices.

Jesus put a premium on his followers sharing the Gospel. It was his last will and testament, his directive, his memorandum, his charter, his protocol.

In Acts chapter 10, the apostle Peter was called upon to share the gospel with a group of people with whom he had previously avoided. In this case, Peter was having to look past his own prejudices in order to share the gospel of Christ. “Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.  This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism.  And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.'” Acts 10:34-38 NLV

Oh my! Peter puts his own ‘spin’ aside and shares the authentic Good News. I love that the gospel is also called the Good News. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon translates gospel as glad tidings.  The angels that announced the birth of Jesus alluded to this in Luke 2, “ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10,14 KJV  That, my friend, is what we are to share: the good news; the glad tidings that through Jesus, there is peace with God and that His will toward us is good! 

What spin have you placed on the good news of the gospel? Have you allowed your own defeats, disappointments, or prejudices to taint the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ? I, for one, am examining my heart and I think, just maybe that I have. Will you join me in examining your own heart? And then let us go the source of the truth of God’s Word in Acts 10:38, “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”  Let’s share that!

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