The Missing Link

The Gospel is the defining message of the Bible. However, it cannot be adequately shared unless its origins are fully understood. Its message has been preached millions of times, and yet its potency is lacking because the able-bodied speakers are devoid of the spiritual exploration required to fully grasp its truth. Therefore, potential evangelizers are reduced to mere proselytizers. The sheer power of the gospel story cannot be underappreciated or fragrantly exaggerated. It stands on its own merits and only requires a surrendered vessel that has truly experienced resurrection power to share it, in its entirety. Whether you are a member of the clergy or a layperson, the story of spiritual adoption must direct one towards the entry-point to the apex of earthly life; then onward to eternity. I say entry towards the apex because too often we preach the gospel as if it is the definitive life God wants for us. This very thinking is a lie directly from Satan to ensure ineffective Christians only produce ill-equipped, ineffective new Christians. The truth is that from the moment a new believer receives salvation through the "spirit of adoption", that very Holy Spirit stays in them, to guide them to a destiny 'in Christ' beyond human reasoning and understanding. Too many new converts are quickly shuffled from church altars to new believers' booths to receive pamphlets, bibles, coffee, and snacks. After a few kind words are shared, they are released into the world with instructions to return to begin training. However, nestled within their bodies is the greatest gift God has ever bestowed upon any of His creations. The gift is God, the Holy Spirit, yet most new believers and seasoned Christians know very little to nothing about Him.

From the outset, one must remember that the gospel story did not begin in a manger in Bethlehem. The story began before time, or at least before any human was created on the Earth. It started when God created Satan, originally named Lucifer. Sounds like heresy. Of course not! For God is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. Therefore, he knew what Lucifer was capable of. He perfectly formed His future enemy; given him every chance to remain loyal to His Creator. Yet despite the inevitable fallen angel, God intrinsically knew He would counter this betrayal by creating a people that would give their loyalty devoid of any angelic powers. Human life would be fueled by the reciprocal love between creation and Creator. God's perfect Self-belief in His sacrificial demonstration of agape Love would be the catalyst to draw His people to Himself. This beautiful, heavenly love story was too wonderful to pass up. For it is infused with Godly self-awareness that thunders the richness of His Glory. For the glory of God is Him becoming flesh to come to dwell amongst, and with His children. His glory is made manifest through the lowly veil of Jesus Christ. Therefore, after Satan's revolt, God did not create "a more perfect angel" as a replacement. Instead, He moved stealthily towards His greatest plan all along.

In 1 John 4:7, the scripture reads,

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

As we fast forward to the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, we must carefully and prayerfully review what took place. In Genesis 3:1, the bible says,

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."

The critical phrase in this exchange is when Eve shared that "God hath said". The fact that Eve told the serpent what God said to her invokes several key biblical truths that must be included when sharing the gospel. It is at this moment, that Eve is saying that the Trinity is right there with her as she is conversing with the Devil. I say, Trinity because when you read bible text and it states "God", it means the entire Trinity is involved. This is a fundamental truth to understanding holy scripture. The Trinity always works collectively, seamlessly, and in perfect harmony. Any interpretation of biblical passages that do not account for the active work of the Trinity in it must be discounted and disregarded. A gospel message without the Trinity is just an absurdly horrific story. By saying "God hath said, Eve is making it aware #1) that God the Father is the source of the commandment and the orchestrator and director of the Earth #2) That her spirit is alive which is why she can commune with God (Holy Spirit is with her) #3) lastly when she repeats God's word (Son of God) to the serpent, she acknowledges the future Christ. Although Eve did not know it at the time, her response invoked the Trinity who was right there and with her as she talked to the serpent. It is at this moment, that all the key actors in the universal story for the ages were present. * "As a naked Eve stood next to an equally unclothed Adam, her outstretched hands finally touched the very "apple of her eye". It was at that moment; a gentle touch became a vicious act against the Creator of the world. All the while, a naked couple stood there not understanding what just happened. Unfortunately, today, many people still do not comprehend it. For thousands of years, preachers have talked about the impact of that moment on humanity. Yet, no one speaks about the wound it gave to God." Consider the torture to death crucifixion that Christ knew He would endure as a result of man's choice. Imagine the relentless painstaking work the Holy Spirit would assume as mankind gripped forbidden fruit. This is where the depths of the love of God the Holy Trinity shines most gloriously. As each watched as creation fell, they knew the sacrifice required to redeem man back to Themselves. Although punishment was warranted and administered, the Godhead knew their work had just begun.

If we do not preach the Trinity at the Fall we cannot explain the Trinity at the cross. More so, from the cross to the grave, each member of the divine Godhead had critical work to do to complete the plan of all ages flawlessly. The same is true for the Christian life. No Christian can effectively live without the work and presence of the Trinity in them. For in John 17:23, Jesus says, "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." He is speaking to the Father under the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, He is calling us to do the same. By not connecting new believers excitingly to the full Trinity they do not have the power or direction to start the journey set before them. Many Christians simply walked around aimlessly unsure of what to do next. Yet all the while, they are in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is in them, to live life in obedience to the Father. The gospel without the Trinity means believers have no power, no presence, and no effectiveness. Satan watches and laughs at a dwindling church because they have no idea they have access to perfect communion with the entire Trinity who holds the world in its place. This was the same painstaking truth Eve suffered when she did not know the Trinity was there with her in the Garden as Satan launched his plan of attack. Satan saw the success of his modus operadi and He watches as humanity falls for it again.

If you want to read the graphic post of the sacrifice Christ Jesus endured for you click here.

If you would like to accept Christ Jesus into your heart, please pray this simple prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness.

I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead.

I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life.

I receive the power of the Holy Spirit to lead me in all things

I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Congratulations! Please access my free gospel series to help you on your walk with the Lord. There are so many wonderful blessings available to you as you learn to live in God's perfect will. Also, please send me a note so I can pray for you daily. As believers, we are encouraged to intercede for one another. As a minister, I would be honored to pray over your life and your loved ones. Lastly, check out my How to Be Baptized post (it's simple and can be a wonderful family or friends event @home)

Be encouraged,

Thomas Knowles - Minister of the Gospel of Christ Jesus

References

* From my article Knowles, T. A. (n.d.). The Eternal Wounds: Writing Challenge. Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level2.php?id=59776