Redefinition of the Gospel cont... For too long the emphasis on the gospel has been sin & belief. Repentance has meant confessing sin & faith means saying the sinner's prayer to accept salvation in Jesus. Jesus did not actually say this. He said "Repent & believe the Good News! The kingdom of God is near." Repent is the Greek word metanoia which is where we get the word metamorphosis. It's changing your mindset so you can embrace the mindset of the kingdom. It's going in a different direction, not some mournful, guilt-ridden cry fest at the altar.
So this matters because if you think that what matters to God is your sin & your belief, then it is very easy to condemn others who do not share your beliefs or who you believe to be sinful.
When Mary Jesus' mother & his brothers wanted a word with him while he was preaching he said, "Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever DOES God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
Once again it's not about having "the absolute truth" through believing the Bible, like I believed as an evangelical. In my experience that view tends to make people judgmental & lack compassion because you are right & everyone else is wrong. Plus it highlights their sin. But if you actually have to DO something to be a part of Jesus & not just believe... well maybe people who don't call themselves Christians are actually more Christlike.
Just a thought...
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