A Note from Kelly King: We should never take lightly the importance of the word “gospel.” As ministry leaders, it should be the foundation on which we live. It is the good news that we share with others, and it’s the good news that continues to transform us each day. Stephanie Edge shares her thoughts on this important truth today.
Just reading the title of this article makes me want to chuckle! Why? Because who has time these days to ponder anything? As a society, we are bombarded with social media ads, news programs, movies, to-do lists, and places to go. Unfortunately, we may often find ourselves being tossed to and fro at the mercy of whoever or whatever screams the loudest for our time and attention. Busy leaders are no exception. It is hard to find time to simply ponder. However, the truth is if we don’t stop to ponder, it is easy to get off-course and forget what really is important.
So, will you join me in pondering for a moment?
What really is important in life and ministry?
The first thing that comes to mind? The gospel is important! What exactly is the gospel? The gospel or good news is neatly packaged and found in the words of John 3:16, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” If this good news is important, then it certainly should impact our lives. We must be transformed by the gospel! 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks about the transforming power of the gospel. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Have you been radically transformed by the gospel? We must never get over the gospel message.
Because of the gospel, we are not condemned (Romans 8:1).
Because of the gospel, we belong to Christ (Romans 8:9).
Because of the gospel, we are set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
Because of the gospel, we are to walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4).
Because of the gospel, we are to set our mind of things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).
Because of the gospel, we are to be led by God’s Spirit (Romans 8:14).
Because of the gospel, we are to act and to live differently. We are no longer to be tossed about by the tyranny of someone else’s urgent or to chase the temporal things of this world. “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). We behave differently because we believe differently! We have been transformed!
And, because of the grandeur and majesty of the gospel, we must share the gospel with others (Matthew 28:19-20). Fellow women’s leader, will you join me in pondering the magnificence of the gospel? Is there evidence to reflect that the gospel is at the center of your life and ministry? If not, it’s time to correct course.
Stephanie Edge has a passion for teaching God’s Word and ministering to women. She served in Women’s Ministry in the local church for sixteen years and worked in College Ministry for ten years. Stephanie graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. She also completed a Masters of Theology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Stephanie currently is an Associate Professor at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and teaches adjunct for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
