The life-changing power of the gospel

We looked at Rev. 5:9-10 at the close of last Sunday’s sermon on “The Bible's view of humanity in an unhuman age.” In the scene John describes around the great throne in Heaven, the four living creatures and 24 elders proclaim in song the Lamb of God has purchased human beings “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” These blood-bought people will gather around the throne to worship Christ as “a kingdom and priests.”

As I said, that event will bring together people across some great divides that exist now. Gathered to worship on the basis of the blood of the Lamb will be pro-lifers and former abortion rights advocates, trafficking victims and former traffickers, slaves and former slave owners, former racists and those whom they once hated.

Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently offered a reminder of that same power of the gospel while we are still on earth. He described some comments the late theologian Carl F.H. Henry offered when Moore and others were lamenting the future of evangelicals.

Henry replied, "Why, you speak as though Christianity were genetic. Of course, there is hope for the next generation of evangelicals. But the leaders of the next generation might not be coming from the current evangelical establishment. They are probably still pagans."

Moore added in his post:

The next Jonathan Edwards might be the man driving in front of you with the Darwin Fish bumper decal. The next Charles Wesley might be a misogynist, profanity-spewing hip-hop artist right now. The next Billy Graham might be passed out drunk in a fraternity house right now. The next Charles Spurgeon might be making posters for a Gay Pride March right now. The next Mother Teresa might be managing an abortion clinic right now.

But the Spirit of God can turn all that around. And seems to delight to do so. The new birth doesn’t just transform lives, creating repentance and faith; it also provides new leadership to the church, and fulfills Jesus’ promise to gift his church with everything needed for her onward march through space and time (Eph. 4:8-16). . . .

So relax.

And, be kind to that atheist in front of you on the highway, the one who just shot you an obscene gesture. He might be the one who evangelizes your grandchildren.

You may read Moore's entire post here.