One of the more challenging aspects of being a Christian is the balance between what as, what is, and what is to come. The most common difficulty is mistaking what is to come for what is. In theological terms this is referred to as overrealized eschatology. Its manifestation is particularly prevalent in movements such as liberation theology and some social justice movements. (Interestingly, in both cases there is often an accompanying anachronistic application of what was for what is. But that’s a topic for another discussion.) But the topic that most concerns me is this mindset as it applies to preaching the gospel. My thinking today is motivated by 1 Peter 1, which clearly delineates between the now and the then.
What is the gospel? Is it good news to us? That Jesus died for our sins, according to Scripture; that he was descended from David, according to Scripture; that he rose from the dead, according to Scripture; are all critical ingredients of the gospel. But there is more. He’s coming again. It is then that he will bring justice to victory. It is then that our faith will result in praise, glory, and honor. It is then that our groaning to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling will be sated. Now we may suffer grief in various trials. Now we have trouble. (But take heart, Jesus has overcome the world!) It is not for this life that we have hope—it is for the next. It is those things which are unseen on which our eyes are fixed, those eternal things. Nevertheless, now we still taste and see that God is good. Today we can be filled with joy. Now we can still confidently hope.
The gospel apart from Jesus return and our being with him is no gospel at all. I fear that much evangelism preaches a gospel of comfort for our egos today and a “get out of hell free” card for the future. I seldom hear that we are to live here on earth as foreigners as we await the coming of our country. This partnership in the kingdom of heaven, of course, has radical implications for how we live today. But how we live today must be motivated by fixing our eyes on Jesus and being mindful of his return. To preach a change of behavior with the kingdom of heaven as an afterthought is to mistake the result for the cause. Only with eyes fixed on the kingdom of heaven can we exclaim with the apostle John, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:1-9)
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