What Does it means to be Gospel-Centered?

What does it mean to be “Gospel-Centered”?

To be “Gospel-Centered” is kind of a trend right now… and it’s an AWESOME trend! The problem is that when people use the term “Gospel-Centered,” they may be saying a number of different things or combatting a variety of different issues. In this article (which was adapted from a sermon I preached at Reach), we’re specifically dealing with the question, “What does it mean to live a Gospel-Centered Life?” How do I live each day in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ?

The first question is: Do you know what the Gospel is? If you don’t have a clear idea in your mind, go check out this article before reading this one!

As we survey Christians throughout history (individuals, systems, churches, etc.), many have said that there are two great threats when it comes to how we think through our faith. Or, to say it another way, there are two primary perversions/misunderstandings when it comes to following Jesus. All the way back in the 2nd century, Tertullian famously spoke to this issue, saying, “Just as Jesus was crucified between two thieves, so the Gospel is ever crucified between these two errors.” Unfortunately, it seems that Tertullian himself may have fallen into one of them. These two great (and common) errors are: Legalism & License (or cheap grace).

Let’s dive into each one.

License / Cheap Grace:
This is when a person says they know God, but their life completely contradicts God’s ways & directives. There is no obedience to God, and they take advantage of God’s grace. Biblically, we see an example of this in 1 Corinthians and in the Book of James. In 1 Corinthians, we see that people in the church are getting drunk off the wine at communion and mistreating their brothers/sisters (1 Cor 11:21), and that they are also putting up with a man who slept with his father’s wife (chapter 5)! Ew! What they say and how they act are inconsistent. And this is a HUGE problem! What does the Bible say to these people?

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:11–14

Next, we have Legalism.

Legalism:
This is when a person believes that they can merit their own goodness, that they have earned God’s love, that they’re good enough for heaven because they haven’t done _____ and have done ____. We have a biblical example of this problem when we look at the Pharisees / Scribes / Religious Leaders in Jesus’ day. These are people who live lives performing for God, performing for approval, and trying to craft their identity through what they can do. What does the Bible say to these people?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27–28

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30

Big Question: So the big question is this: If Legalism & License are wrong ways to relate to God, how does God intend for us to walk?

Well, read Colossians 3:1–3 with me:

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”Colossians 3:1–3

Notice that Paul’s imperative (set your mind & seek things above) is born out of / rooted in a finished reality, something that has already happened. He gives a command, but it’s born out of a nature change and a transformation (you have died & been raised).

The main point is this: God adopts & transforms you by grace, and intends that you live a life of obedience as His secure / loved child. We live out of our new identity as children of God. Remember that old Dallas Willard quote? “Grace is not opposed to effort; it’s opposed to earning.” This is what it means, or what it looks like, to follow Jesus day by day: grace-driven (or Gospel-Centered) effort.

So what does a Gospel-Centered person look like? Here are some things you can expect to see from someone who’s walking in the way God intends we walk:

The Gospel-Centered person lives for God (although not perfectly).
The Gospel-Centered person takes pleasure in obeying God, but isn’t trying to earn God’s approval through their performance.
The Gospel-Centered person begins to lose their taste for sin as they fall more deeply in love with God.
The Gospel-Centered person isn’t astounded when they sin & fearful of God’s punishment, but rather is quick to repent of their sin and rest / rejoice in the sacrifice of Jesus for their sin.
The Gospel-Centered person isn’t judgmental or boastful toward other sinful people, because they recognize that apart from Christ / God’s grace, they’re in the exact same place. They are gentle, humble, and kind.
The Gospel-Centered person flees temptation, recognizing that some of their old circles may not be best for their new life with God.
The Gospel-Centered person pours out their life (preferences, comfort, $) for the good of other people because of God’s sacrifice for us in love.
The Gospel-Centered person is secure & confident because they trust in God’s saving work & their new identity as an adopted & loved child. They recognize God won’t “unadopt” them.

So the big question is: where are you at? Are you walking in the freedom (& obedience) that God calls you to as His adopted child? Or does your life look more like Legalism / License? Ready to follow Jesus with your entire life today??? Click the FOLLOW JESUS TODAY button below!