Gospel First..Then All Else

Gospel First.

Sister friend, we are in a time where we are literally being defined by whatever social justice and political platform we decide to stand on.

Pro-life. Equality. Racism. Republican. Democrat. Clean Planet. Prison Reform. Immigration. LGBTQ rights. Global Warming. Tyranny and Government overreach. Healthcare Reform. Are you exhausted yet? I am. And I probably haven't listed them all! Probably my favorite thing ever is when we are labeled as uncaring, uneducated, uninformed when we don't raise our voice up for every single one of these issues *Said with HEAVY SARCASM*.

Y'all. I know that these issues listed above are extremely important. I, myself, have found myself speaking up and out about quite a few of the issues I see above because they do matter to me. I fight for what I believe in. I research and I engage in conversations and dialogue and I vote according to what I think is most important and the candidate that I believe aligns with my values for our Country. I love being an American. I love our country. I hate injustice and evil and I do have fears of losing our freedoms in the country, freedoms we fought for and can be taken away if we are not careful or paying attention.

But. I love Jesus more. And I love my people. I have to tell you, I think the thing we as believers, as followers of Christ must do before anything else is this:

Preach the Gospel first.

Jesus saves. Period. He is our Peace. He is our Savior. He is the redeemer of the World. Preach Gospel first.

We are not defined by the social justice movements we align ourselves with. We do have cling to different aspects of Christianity. What we can know for sure is this:

For God so loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 CSB

So many of us have memorized the first portion of this verse, but we have not paid much attention to the latter portion. God did not send His Son Jesus to condemn the world and it's sins and platforms and political injustices. Instead, it was to save every single person through His Son, Jesus.

That is why He sent His Son to the Cross. It was why Jesus had to die, so that He would be resurrected and all of our sin and darkness would be ultimately paid for. Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb and paid the penalty for our sins.

That is the gospel. That is the good news. That is what we should preach first to the rest of the world and to everyone we come in contact with. Do this first. Go make disciples first. Baptize in the name of Jesus first.

It doesn't mean that we cannot speak out on the injustices and evil we see before us. All of us have things we are deeply passionate and convicted about. God did not design robots but humans with emotions, creativity, abilities, gifts and talents. But not every person will be speaking and fighting for the same thing. If you feel a deep responsibility to fight against racism, continue to do so. It is important work. But do not condemn those who may have chosen to speak about a different social justice platform than you, and they may not speak as loudly about your platform.

Jesus only chose 12 disciples. What He was sent on earth to do for the world, He was still able to accomplish with His ragtag band of imperfect men. And one of them denied Him!!!! (Oh, that Peter...)

So sister, before we step up on our soapboxes (I am talking to myself over here!) about whatever issues that you want to address and fight for.....let's make sure we tell people about the gospel that saves souls.

Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal lie and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 CSB

Preach the Good News,

Tiffany Rhea