It's the gospel, stupid.

In 1992, Carville came up with the now infamous theme of the Clinton campaign, "It's the economy, stupid." The statement kept the campaign on message and eventually led to Clinton's amazing victory over a sitting President who had just been successful in war. As it is in politics, so it is in Scripture. Message is everything. Does the Bible stay "on message?" Does it stick to right theme?

If you are unfamiliar with the general flow and feel of Scripture, the answer is overwhelmingly, yes! But, rather than sticking with a message that will surely be subjected to the ups and downs of a market economy, the Scriptures reveal the timeless gospel. The one sure hope for all humanity. The only message that will one day bring a lasting peace.

As you read the Bible, whether you are reading the gospels or what you consider to be obscure minor prophets, remember the Bible is going somewhere. It is revealing something, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible never leaves room for us to think we outgrow the gospel, that somehow we enter the Kingdom by the gospel and then move on to other things. The gospel is not something we ever "get past." The gospel is something we grow in and through. The most sanctified saint is still growing in his understanding of the gospel. He is still not only trying to master it, but also to let it master him. The gospel is everything. It is not only revealing who God is, but it is also revealing who you are. Because of this revelation, reconciliation is possible. In the gospel, God not only reconciles us to Himself, but He also gives us grounds by which we can be reconciled to each other. The wealthy businessman comes to the feast on the same grounds as the poor beggar. The king comes on the same grounds as the peasant. The gospel creates a different community, a community that is not built upon the criteria the fallen world chooses to build itself upon. This community is not separated by wealth, race, class, or any other barrier that divides the fallen world. This community is centered on weakness, poverty, humility, and other qualities that so many of us unfortunately outgrow. And, yet much to our surprise, there is not a more joyful, hopeful, and enduring community than the one resulting from the gospel.

Look at the construct of the communities set up naturally around the world. Ask yourself what they are based upon. Then, look at the construct of the community described in John's vision in Revelation. What is it that distinquishes these different communities? It's the message of Scripture, the story of history. It's the gospel, stupid!!