Ransomed Heart's take on elements missing from today's gospel
Hi All,
Eldredge gave a recent interview where the question was posed to him what he thought were elements that were missing from the gospel message being given today. Among them were topics of the recognition of evil and a world at war, conversational intimacy with God, and the availability of the power of Christ's resurrection available to believers here and now. I believe there are so many elements of the Gospel that have been watered down and simply aren't taught in many churches, including Eldredges' last point, but my question is this:
Are there scriptural passages that support a gospel that is here and now as well as the full and
complete restoration when Jesus comes again or are these and other passages speaking about the disciples understand of power, life, restoration as futuristic events that are not available to the believer this side of heaven?
For example In verses such as Romans 5:17, Paul seems to suggest that power and life are futuristic gifts (not this side of heaven), "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
or Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him
This has to do with some spiritual wrestling I'm going through with my wife about the power of the gospel to change people and the hope and restoration that it brings here and now, in addition to fullness on the other side of life. Any clarification would be much appreciated.
Tags: gospel, redemption, restoration
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Paul Coon on -
It's difficult to generalize about what is "being given today". No one person can know everything that's being said or done regarding the gospel. I can only know what I hear in my limited time and resourses. There are false gospels pouring out in a lot of places. I like John's answer and his focus.
Eternity includes here and now but what do you mean by restoration? When you come to God on his terms you are restored. When you shed your flesh you will be more restored. I don't see in the bible where it says that things are or are going to be restored. Things are getting worse for the unbelievers. God is going to destroy the earth and remake it. I think you're talking about a Christian's relationship with God.
Eternal life starts the moment a person believes the gospel. Many have skewed the definition of the gospel since the first century. The best definition of the gospel must come from the source of the gospel. In one verse it is Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. There are many other good definitions in the new testament.
I'm wondering what more you want from your relationship with God than you have now. You can talk to God all you want. You can tell him anything and ask him anything. You can learn about him from his word and you can listen until you hear his voice. The more you talk with someone the better you know them.
I looked up Romans 5:17 in 8 or 9 versions. I don't think will refers to the future. I think it means after you have become a believer. It's possible the verse is focusing on reigning. It does say reign in life. I think it means this present life. I think Romans 6:8 is referring to the future but if you're a believer he is in you right now.
You mentioned the word restoration 3 or 4 times. Could you define what you mean? to me the difference between life now and life in heaven is like the difference between what a baby experiences before it's born and after it's born.
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