Reasons Why People Investigate the Gospel
I have observed in Western Christianity a general lack of expectation that the humanly impossible will happen through faith. Paul predicted to Timothy that a terrible list of bad character traits would infest the church, ending with the summary phrase, “Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” All of God’s promises to the faithful are humanly impossible; God does not deal in the ordinary. The question is whether our faith plans for the impossible and trusts the timing of the One with the power.
“The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20). In general, that power is miraculous character transformation brought about by the indwelling Spirit. I’m really not interested in how bad you used to be (which is boasting). I want to know how to tap into the power to change me, not marvel at your story. Your success does nothing but frustrate me unless you impart the means for me to get there, too. The gospel is about the power of hope and love for others.
People decide to investigate the gospel for several reasons. The motives given in the Bible correspond to appeals upon which the church should focus. For example, Romans 2:15 and 2 Corinthians 4:2 cite the conscience, at least those not yet seared beyond repair (1 Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:15). People want a cure for what is bothering them, not an excuse that drives them further into self-deception. The cure is character development through the power of the Spirit. Forgiveness only to fail again carries no hope.
One reason people turn to the gospel is because they are frustrated with their own performance. As expressed in Romans 7, outsiders find themselves doing the very things they hate and ask, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” So, we need to introduce them to Romans 8, “If, by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” People want to know how to overcome themselves.
One reason people turn to the gospel is to find meaning for life. Solomon investigated comfort, accomplishment, sensibility, happiness, and other life goals and found them all to be “vanity and chasing after the wind.” Being unable to control others led to the demise of fleeting success. The only attainable and permanent goal is to participate in a big family that will endure based on mutual trust and selfless concern. We live now in an incubator for faith.
One reason people turn to the gospel is that they feel trapped by a world spiraling out of control. Peter appealed to a crowd with, “Be saved from this crooked generation.” Paul encouraged Christians to be lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. The world has not changed. People still feel overwhelmed by the brokenness around them. The gospel is not an escape but a coping skill, a path to liberty in a world of slaves.
“The goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) Outsiders have lots of different pictures in their heads about God. The faithful need to be able to explain that God is 100% good, not a mixture, and has always been that way. If God were to stop all evil, no one would remain and God’s objective of a big family built on mutual trust and selfless concern would fail. God is all about fixing what ails us and showing us a way out of our messes, the ultimate parent.
Jesus “called us by character and virtue,” (2 Peter 1:3) not because Jesus lived well and people don’t, but because the faithful are promised that they can be “partakers of the divine nature.” Comparing outsiders to Jesus does not draw them in, but rather drives them away. Jesus’ appeal is that the faithful will have the power to be like Him while still breathing.
Thomas Theology Hub 