If you could possibly think of the Gospel in one word, what would it be?
I remember coming across a challenge like this when I used to frequent a popular social media forum that I am no longer a part of. People gave many different attempts at offering a possible solution. The most popular response was also the answer to that old church joke:
What is the answer to every Sunday school question?
JESUS
This question of thinking about the Gospel in one word popped back into my head (I don’t know why) as I was reading a book by Matthew Bates called “Saved By Allegiance Alone.” Not because he dealt with this challenge, he doesn’t at all. But, because of how he (through the book) lays out an argument for understanding what “faith” is in light of Jesus now being “King.”
I highly recommend the book, because it has contributed greatly to how I now see “faith” in light of Christ being “King” (especially the “King of kings” – 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14 and 19:16). Thinking about how Jesus now has the title/office that was once used to describe historically powerful kings in the past (cf. Ezra 7:12, Ezekiel 26:7, and Daniel 2:37) has enormously impacted my thinking with regards to who Jesus is and what the Gospel and faith are all about. In other words (as an American), the concept of being under a monarchy doesn’t really impact my thinking much, if ever. It’s just honestly really hard to relate to bowing down to a king. So, thinking about Jesus as “King” is not as natural as it should be. But, this book has really helped me to understand this concept and to also see how vital it is for understanding what the Bible is saying about the Gospel and faith.
Here is the quote from the book which got me thinking:
“…it is that the gospel is that Jesus has been enthroned, so the only proper response is obedient allegiance to him as the king. It is true, however, that declaration of allegiance results in a forgiving release from the power of sin, so that it is possible to maintain allegiance by the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the gospel proclamation is to cultivate obedient allegiance to Jesus the king among the nations (cf. Rom. 15: 18).”
— Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King by Matthew W. Bates
Here is what Bates referenced from the New Testament:
Romans 15:18-21 (HCSB) – For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. My aim is to evangelize where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, but, as it is written: Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.
And, here’s what Paul quoted from Isaiah in the Old Testament (who wrote about Jesus):
Isaiah 52:13-15 (HCSB) – See, My Servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were appalled at You — His appearance was so disfigured that He did not look like a man, and His form did not resemble a human being — so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him, For they will see what had not been told them, and they will understand what they had not heard.
Going forward if I am ever asked to describe the Gospel in one word, I will now say “enthronement.” And if I’m never asked, at least I now have a simple way of re-grounding my thinking whenever I catch myself forgetting what Jesus has accomplished.
Godspeed, to the brethren!
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