I’m reading my brother-in-law’s copy of A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent. It should be read slowly as I’m discovering. That way you can meditate on the greatness of the gospel and its connection to our lives today. Vincent reminds us that the gospel is for Christians- we never outgrow our need for the gospel in this earthly life. As a result, we need to continually preach the gospel to ourselves. This is not as simplistic as it sounds, and he addresses the many results of the gospel we need to remember.
“Additionally, with the gospel proving itself to be such a boon in my own life, I realize that the greatest gift I can give to my fellow-Christians is the gospel itself. Indeed, I love my fellow-Christians not simply because of the gospel, but I love them best when I am loving them with the gospel! And I do this not merely by speaking gospel words to them, but also by living before them and generously relating to them in a gospel manner. Imparting my life to them in this way, I thereby contribute to their experience of the power, the Spirit, and the full assurance of the gospel.”
A great summary of the point of many of Paul’s epistles. Further:
“Hence, the more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died, and the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow-Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine.”
The gospel banishes individualism and independence. Jesus doesn’t just work for and in me, but worked for US and works in US.
Milton does a good job communicating the importance and a practical ‘practice’ of proclaiming the gospel…whether it be to ourselves, other saints, or the unsaved. If you want to download the messages he delivered at the ABC men’s retreat in November, you can find them here.. http://www.adirondackbible.org/
Blessings!