Embody the Gospel

There is a word that has been in my vocabulary lately that has been very influential and catchy. The phase is "embody the gospel." It has been influential because it has generated an awareness of living out the biblical image of the radical cross-bearing discipleship through faith and obedience in the Savior. "Embody" means to to give a concrete form; to express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form. John Piper is known for coining this term and has made it a staple of his ministry to treasure Christ. This term, however, is for everyone. All Christians are called to embody the gospel message. Therefore as Christians we are to live out the gospel message as Christ followers and exhibit Christ-centered attitudes and actions to the world!

What's the Gospel Message?

Well what is the gospel message that Christians are to embody? There are several definitions people will give which all point to the gospel. But the gospel message is this: 

"The Gospel never means simply a book, but rather the message which Christ and His apostles announced. Therefore we are living epistles of Christ - living the message out (2 Corinthians 3:3).

The gospel is such doctrine of truth that neither requires our works, or requires us to do commands in order to satisfy the righteousness of God, but announces the offered grace of the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Therefore we are grace-bearers and truth proclaimers just as Christ - living with grace and truth (John 1:17).

The gospel is bound up in the life of Christ, His biography and the record of His works, and the proclamation of what He has to offer to sinners is desperate need of being rescued of their sins. Therefore we are ambassadors of Christ - living the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The Bottom Line.

Embodying the gospel message basically means to live the radical transformed life as a new creation in Christ. The new creation life should embody the absolute dependency of needed God and his grace for everything. The new creation life should embody knee bent fervency to God for he is your King. The new creation life should embody devote humility to all people in order to express a changed heart. The new creation life should embody genuine love and mercy to all people to demonstrate a forgiven soul. The new creation life should embody living hope to all people to vividly illustrate faith in the promise of eternal life.

I will post more thoughts on this later, but this seemed like a good starting point for me. Tell me what you think by commenting below. Please leave your name if you post a comment!