Why preach the Gospel?
Why Preach the Gospel? You would never ask that question if you really knew the Gospel. I preach because God’s love compels me! (2 Co. 5:14). The Gospel, stripped of hell baggage, is the greatest news in the world! We no longer need to hesitate in shame and embarrassment telling people their deceased loved ones are burning in hell forever with no possible hope of release. Nothing brings greater pain than that. There is no worse news imaginable. And this has been part and parcel of what is said to be Good News? What horror! But that is not the Gospel. The Gospel brings great joy to both the messenger who proclaims it and its recipients. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of Peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Ro. 10:15).
The world is full of hurting people longing for glad tidings of good things. Christ was moved with compassion for the crowds because they were distressed and dispirited (NAS). He urged His disciples to pray for workers into the harvest field of humanity; yet nothing is mentioned of hell as the motivating force – only the pain of life’s mental anguish. (Mt. 9:36-38).
What is feared most of all? Death. Jesus came to destroy death’s power and free us from the fear of death; a fear that has imprisoned us all our lives (He. 2:15). The world longs for hope and good news. We who understand God’s unfailing love for all have a message of such Good News that we just cannot hold it back. That’s why you have this book in your hand!
From Hope Beyond Hell Revised 2010 pages 219-220
June 3, 2011
This real gospel of hope, truth, and life for all is so needed in this day and age when fundamentalism has become more divisive than ever. Thank you Gerry for your wonderful work!!