Written By Bob Schindler, Chief Operating Officer of CEDE SPORTS
Being Gospel Centered – Part 2
We use all kinds of ways to remember things:
- Reminders on our phones
- Dry erase boards on our refrigerators
- Note cards on our bathroom mirrors
I have used all of these and many other methods over the years.
We come up with these “systems” for two reasons. First of all, we tend to forget. Secondly, we tend to forget even important things. These “systems” remind us of what is important that we tend to forget.
Believing and Remembering
In Part 1 of Being Gospel Centered, we acknowledged that being gospel centered involves believing and remembering. The only imperative in Ephesians 1-3 is in 2:11 “Therefore, remember…”. In giving that command, he didn’t intend this to be a one-time remembrance. By using a present tense verb for remember, Paul is calling for a regular remembrance of the gospel truths in chapters 1,2, & 3.
This present tense, ongoing remembering, leads us to a very important observation about who the gospel is for. The gospel isn’t only for those who are separated from Christ as a way to get connected to Christ and get to heaven. The gospel is also for those who are connected to Christ so that we might experience the grace to presently live out the truths of the gospel.
That grace is experienced as we not only remember but believe afresh in the gospel. Present remembering is to lead to present believing. This believing leads to the present experience of the power of the gospel. The regular experience of this power is why author Jerry Bridges says, “Preach the gospel to yourself every day.”
How do you Remember?
With that in mind, what “system” do you have for remembering the gospel? If you don’t have one, let me suggest a few.
- Learn the four-chapter gospel outline – check out https://thestoryfilm.com/ for one example. There are many other resources that give that similar outline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to make real for you the truths of those chapters.
- In your regular prayer time, use this outline to review that gospel and your place in it.
- Focus on one particular chapter of the gospel and meditate on that chapter. Use your thoughts as fuel for prayer.
- Take sections of Ephesians 1 and 2 to remind you of the gospel truths.
- Be grateful for what you remember, believing afresh the truths you were reminded of.
- Ask one of your friends to go through this remembering with you.
- Develop a system of your own.
Remembering – Believing – Experiencing. This is the process Paul has in mind with his present tense command to “remember.”
