The NGO Gospel

“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15

Jesus came to earth to personally save me. He revealed the Father (John 14:9), showed his love by dying (Ro 5:8), chose and adopted me (Eph 1:4-5), forgave my sin (2 Co 5:21), removed my condemnation (Ro 8:1), opened up access to God (Heb 10:20), gave me new life (Ro 6:4), the Holy Spirit (John 14:17), purpose (Eph 2:10) and eternal life (John 3:16). The list could go on. Really good news.

But is there any news about the kingdom of God? Or is everything still the same in terms of authority as it was before Jesus came? God is still sovereign (Rev 4:11), governments still rule the earth (Ro 13:1-2), people are still in charge (John 19:11), parents still have authority (Eph 6:1-2), sin still has power (1 Jn 1:8), Satan still attacks (1 Pe 5:8), death still gets us all (Heb 9:27), the flesh still tempts us (Gal 5:17), etc. What changed?

If nothing changed in terms of authority through Jesus, then our gospel starts sounding like an NGO. An NGO is: “a group that functions independently of any government with the objective of improving social conditions.” No governing authority.

The kingdom of God is then like the Red Cross during a war. We can care for you, get you healed, even get you out of here back home to your family. Or we can train and equip you to help other wounded soldiers. But there’s nothing we can do about the war. Just have to wait until it’s over.

That’s not how the Jews would have heard the word “gospel”. This from Nick Cady:

  • In the Greco-Roman world, from the time of Alexander the Great and on into the Roman Empire, this word was used to refer to history-making, world-shaping reports of political, military, or societal victories.
  • An inscription found in Priene, in modern-day Turkey, referring to Caesar Augustus says:  “the birthday of [Augustus] has been for the whole world the beginning of the gospel (euangelion) concerning him.”
    • Whereas the Providence which has regulated our whole existence . . . has brought our life to the climax of perfection in giving to us (the emperor) Augustus . . .who being sent to us and our descendents as Savior, has put an end to war and has set all things in order;  and (whereas,) having become (god) manifest /PHANEIS/, Caesar has fulfilled all the hopes of earlier times.

By Doug Penner –

–

you are welcome to email me your feedback!

–

,

One response to “The NGO Gospel”

  1. Selwyn Avatar
    Selwyn

    no no no…. It’s new. It’s different. The kingdom is here. It is in us. We fail to avail ourselves of it. We have been beaten into submission, such that even if you lift the ‘chains’ off, we won’t run away because we think we are still unable.

    You yourself are a testimony to the kingdom. Look at how you minister the presence of God to many around you. Look around you… the good news is preached to the poor, the brokenhearted are bound up freedom is proclaimed for the captives prisoners are released from darkness…

    and yet, in parallel the battle rages. But now we know for sure the outcome. And to live the battle is ok, but to die in it is gain….

    Only let us persevere… as oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. That he may boast on us to the principalities and powers… that he may show his wisdom..

    His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

    So yes, the power balance on earth has shifted…. but not in the power* structures*, but in the believers. Those who :”can do even more than this..” THose who now have the ministry of reconciliation. Those who are to serve as priests of the most high, appropriating his power, his presence… bringing the Kingdom, not is massive waves, but in mustard seeds, in yeast… those who have the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

    Selwyn

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment