Shooting the Messenger

We are commanded by Christ Himself (who possesses all authority) to preach the Gospel, to make disciples, to take the Good News, to tell those around us all about it, and to lead others to full obedience. We routinely refer to this as "the Great Commission". And, as expected, we are not often very keen about doing it.

Why? Well, there are a few reasons, I suppose. There is the natural fear of telling people things they won't likely want to hear. There is the promised fact that the audience to whom we are bringing this "good news" is hostile to the One who has sent us to bring this message (Rom 8:7) and hostile to the message itself (1 Cor 1:18). That can be daunting. Of course, there is the fact that too often we miss the importance of the message. While we seek to protect our "good name", we threaten to send people to Hell because we miss the fact that they're going to Hell without the Gospel. An oversight on our part.

So, we try to be more faithful to this Great Commission given by our Savior. We want to do what He says and we want to help others and it is an important task and an important message. And then we run afoul of "believers". "Oh, no," they tell us, "you shouldn't be telling people to repent. That's not kind. You shouldn't be calling people 'sinners'. That's judgmental. Do you have any idea how crazy you sound when you preach that 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' stuff? No, no, that is not what you ought to be doing. In fact, you are doing harm to the Gospel by doing that." And we find that unbelievers and believers alike are opposed to what we believe to be mere obedience to Christ.

Given that we are not called to listen to unbelievers and we are not even called to listen to believers on the subject, what can we learn from God's Word on preaching the Gospel? What can we learn about method, language, or message? Sure, unbelievers won't like it, but what does God instruct?

First, and what would seem most obvious, we have the example of Christ. It is, after all, His Gospel we are preaching (Gal 1:6-7). How did He preach it? Well, apparently He didn't do it quietly. Wherever He went He preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt 4:17).

"Now, Jesus," I can hear those well-meaning believers say, "do you have any idea how crazy you sound? That's mean. That's judgmental. That's not even practical. I mean, exactly what 'kingdom of heaven' do you mean? And what's all this about 'repent'? Isn't that too pushy, too insensitive, too backward-thinking?"

To which He would apparently reply, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

"Look, maybe we can tolerate this 'repent' stuff," they might respond, "but do you have to be so up front, 'in your face' about it? Can't you be more caring, more tender, more cautious, less offensive?"

To which He just might respond, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

"Okay, look," they might counter, "go ahead and keep the whole 'repent' thing if you must. We think it's outdated, unnecessary, judgmental, and, frankly, makes you look like a loon, but let's just not worry about the whole 'sin' thing, okay? A generic 'repent' may be okay, but let's not address sins. That will just be a turn-off to your audience."

And Jesus would go ahead and explain publicly and loudly that lust is adultery (Matt 5:27-28), hate is murder (Matt 5:21-22), and order "from now on sin no more" (John 8:11).

Jesus isn't the only example we have. Peter's message was so offensive that they put him in prison. Paul's message was so offensive that they stoned him and left him for dead. Jesus died for His message and most of His disciples did, too. It would seem, in fact, that biblically the example we're left is that the message will often not be well received and it is not uncommon for them to shoot the messenger.

Given the nature of the mission field, it would seem that the message will not be well received. Given the stakes -- eternity -- it would seem that the message is important. Given the certainty that there is only one Gospel and all others are "not Gospel" (Gal 1:6-9) and the fact that we are not seeking the approval of men (Gal 1:10), perhaps we ought not modify the message in favor of perception. To do so would be in opposition to Christ, the One we claim to follow.