We and They

"We proclaim the gospel to the world so that they may be saved."

When you pay attention to the pronouns in this core value, it reveals a simple, yet profound reality about our responsibility.

"They" need to be saved. Who are "they" and what do they need to be "saved" from? They are all the people alive in the world today who have not trusted in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ for their personal salvation. They need to be saved from the just condemnation of God that rests upon them. Jesus said this about having faith in Him: "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God," (John 3:18). Having sin on your account will not bode well when you have to stand before the holy God -- and all of us must stand before Him.

"We" are responsible to proclaim good news. Who are "we" and what makes this news "gospel"? We are those who were formerly they, but now have become new creatures in Christ, as we have believed in Him for our salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The news we have is truly gospel, or "good news," because it has the ability to render they as we: holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Colossians 1:22). We have the privilege to help awaken condemned sinners to the reality that there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1), as God justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5) and rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

How could we not proclaim such an excellent message of hope? Join the Lord in His work of building His church!