The Gospel is All-Encompassing
From Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes:
Not every person who professes to be a Christian treasures the Gospel with… enthusiasm and tenacity. For some Christianity is just one part of their busy lives. They’ve got work, their Tuesday morning self-help group at the YMCA, their workout schedule – oh, and their spiritual life, too. Others see their Christian experience as something to look back on – “the day I said ‘the’ prayer” or “walked the aisle” or “joined the church.”
For many Christianity is a ticket to heaven. They want the assurance that everything will be okay when they die, but they don’t want to get too serious about it today.
Many families fit Christianity in as part of their lifestyle package. They enjoy the wholesome atmosphere the church provides, good moral teaching for the kids, potluck suppers, and women’s meetings.
Not one of these last few views of the Gospel is the real deal; none of them sees the Gospel as the Bible reveals it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unrelenting in seeking to convert every area of our hearts and lives. The Gospel is all-encompassing. It is in fact the only source of godliness. Search anywhere else, and you have nothing more than self-reform at best and idolatry at its worst.
These words are piercing, and true! They remind me of Jesus’ words in Luke 8:14: “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Christianity cannot be not just one small element of our lives. It is not a self-help tool, or a convenient addition to our weekly schedule, or a social event, or a private spiritual practice. True Christianity should define, take over, and transform us. If the gospel does not play this role in our lives, then it is not really planted in our hearts.
“Search anywhere else, and you have nothing more than self-reform at best and idolatry at its worst.”
So true! How convicting. I’m bookmarking this.
Anna,
Thanks for sharing that excerpt and your perspective as it impressed upon you. I appreciated today’s post as it calls for each of us to examine our ideas of what it means to walk with Christ.
Thinking that we know is one thing and not “bad” per se, but having a fellow brother or sister give a reminder offers us a chance to hear another voice other than the one inside of us that readily wants to tell us that we’re doing OK, when it comes to Christ and our relationship with Him.
Again, I appreciate the truthful and encouraging words (True Christianity should define, take over, and transform us).
Grace and peace be with you.
Great post, Anna! It’s so true – our whole lives need to be all about the gospel.
Well put. It’s such a pretty package, but you never know whats actually in the box until you take off the pretty paper. If we are to call ourselves Christians, then we need to make sure we fill our box with all that is Christ, and not just say yeah, I believe in him, Im a Christian.
Thank you for the reminder to not let our faith become a distant thoughtform behind the rest of our busy lives. Thanks for the encouragement Anna! 
hey anna – so I started doing my devotionals after i talked with you on how to do a devotion… and it is is going fine, but I was wondering do you know of any good bible study companions that help with remembering and comprehension? I cant seem to find one that I really have enjoyed. thanks!
-courtney
Well said. I’ve often told my friends and I will tell my wife, if I ever find such a woman, that they come second to God. It’s the only way it can be. I don’t ever want to be Laodicean
This is so true! Saying I’m a Christian means nothing unless Christ has taken over my life.
AMEN! Oh I loved this post! So extremely true, and beautifully put.
I want to look into purchasing that book. Sounds wonderful from the excerpt.