I came across a quote that is supposed to have been made by a nineteenth century evangelist named Rodney Smith: “There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, but most people never read the first four.” This is a call to us to not only read the Bible but also to be read by others. Paul put it this way: “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.” (2 Cor. 3:3, NLT) Paul agrees and disagrees with Rodney, as do I.

There is only one gospel, not five. All four of the writings we call the Gospels are a specific type of biographical narrative that has been typed as a gospel. However, each one is titled “The Gospel According to ________.” What this is saying is that the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ is one truth told by four witnesses in our Gospels. Paul is also saying that we are to be the witnesses to the truth of the gospel by how it has affected our lives. Paul even says that there is only one true gospel that should be told. (Gal. 1:6-9)

The truth of God’s grace and its powerful impact upon our lives is something we should always be allowing others to read. The truth of the gospel of God’s grace intersects with our imperfections too. We are not presenting a gospel that cannot reach others but one that truly is good news that can connect with every life, as exemplified in our own.

So, what would you say is the gospel according to you? Is it still good news? Gospel means “good news.” I believe it still is. Let’s get better at both believing it and sharing it.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril