I’ve posted this because, to my way of thinking, the thing about us that changes the most when we believe the Gospel is the way we look at life and the world. We are no longer at the center of the universe. We are not longer in charge. We are no longer powerful. Good things become bad things. Bad things become good things. Life is no longer a one-shot-so-make-the-most-of-it affair. Being nice to people you don’t like and hanging out with people who you would never normally choose all become basic premises, etc. The Gospel comes as a revelation to our common sense, and natural wiring. It says that the things about life and the world that matter are the exact opposite of the things the world would draw attention to. The Gospel is a new pair of glasses.
I think of the second half of 1 Corinthians 1:
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. .. 23we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, … 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. … 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Ha, I would have never gotten that from just looking at the picture, but your words here ring so true to me. “Good things become bad things. Bad things become good things.” In my opinion, this is brilliant insight about how we are changed when we believe the gospel. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts.
This is what I love about John Zahl. What do Frisbees, multi-colored ice cream cones, balloons and Bad-A set of old school VR goggles have in common? The Gospel. Oh, yeah- disco too.
Is this a commentary on how, through the Gospel, we “walk by faith and not by sight?”
Or perhaps how, through Jesus, God is “hear no evil, see no evil” with regard to us…
In any event, the hair is nice:)
Thanks for the comment RJ!
I’ve posted this because, to my way of thinking, the thing about us that changes the most when we believe the Gospel is the way we look at life and the world. We are no longer at the center of the universe. We are not longer in charge. We are no longer powerful. Good things become bad things. Bad things become good things. Life is no longer a one-shot-so-make-the-most-of-it affair. Being nice to people you don’t like and hanging out with people who you would never normally choose all become basic premises, etc. The Gospel comes as a revelation to our common sense, and natural wiring. It says that the things about life and the world that matter are the exact opposite of the things the world would draw attention to. The Gospel is a new pair of glasses.
I think of the second half of 1 Corinthians 1:
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. .. 23we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, … 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
… 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
best, JZ
John,
Ha, I would have never gotten that from just looking at the picture, but your words here ring so true to me. “Good things become bad things. Bad things become good things.” In my opinion, this is brilliant insight about how we are changed when we believe the gospel. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts.
This is what I love about John Zahl. What do Frisbees, multi-colored ice cream cones, balloons and Bad-A set of old school VR goggles have in common? The Gospel. Oh, yeah- disco too.
love the commentary