The Gospel is far too conservative for the liberal.
And the Gospel is far too liberal for the conservative.
Yet far too radical for the moderate.

The Gospel’s implications are far too vast for the simple.
And the Gospel is far too simple for the intellectual.

The Gospel has far too much justice for the merciful.
And the Gospel has far too much mercy for the just.

The Gospel is far too personal for the extrovert.
And the Gospel is far too communal for the introvert.

The Gospel is far too positive for the pessimist.
And the Gospel is far too negative for the optimist.

The Gospel is far too sensitive for the wrathful.
And the Gospel has far too much wrath for the sensitive.

The Gospel is far too spiritual for the rule follower.
And the Gospel has far too many commands for the free spirit.

Do you see it? This amazing tension?

It is no wonder why Jesus was hated by both groups: the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Two groups that fundamentally opposed one another, but were united with how offended they were by Jesus and the Gospel He brought with Him.

We are too sophisticated for public death sentences like the elites in first century AD. Today, instead of crucifying the whole self of Jesus we decide to take ownership of only parts of Him and, in essence, crucifying the other parts. Laying claim to what we identify with and leaving what may trouble us.

I am starting to get a fuller understanding of what Peter meant when He divinely wrote in reference to Jesus as “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

We want to be the camp that claims “God is on our side,” but I think Abe Lincoln had it right when he said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Jesus came to disturb the comfortable.
And Jesus came to comfort the disturbed.

Blessings,
J. Wilder

I’d love to talk with you if you have any questions.

If you are interested in how this plays out in the Kingdom of God and looking at how He always seems to turn culture’s value systems on its head… check out how the Gospel Is Uniquely Counter-Cultural from 2017. There’s no other faith or religion like it.