Ever hear someone sarcastically say of a rich person, “Oh I feel soo bad for you with all that money”?
That naive idea – that anyone with a lot of money can’t possibly suffer or be pitiable – is parallel to one Christians seem to have about non-Christians. It is a belief that non-Christians, since they keep sinning, must be happy and enjoying it.
The implication is then that, if we wish to reach unbelievers, we mustn’t mention things like forgiveness, freedom from sin, repentance, or righteousness. They don’t want these things, so it goes, because they are happy in sin.
This misconception, much like the one about rich people always being happy, is usually rooted in either self-righteousness or jealousy.
Self-righteousness is easy to understand. It’s easier to feel good about oneself if others are truly wicked – enjoying it wicked, not just regretfully making bad choices.
Jealousy is also easy to understand. Working very hard to avoid the traps of sin is not easy, and living a lascivious lifestyle can look more fun – especially to those who don’t have much experience with it. They can romanticize sin, just as those who are not rich romanticize wealth.
In reality, sin is not fun.
Remember when you were a kid, and you told a lie? How awful was your life as you tried to keep it hidden from your parents? How much better did you feel when you were finally found out, or confessed? The little devil on the shoulder promises an easy route, but delivers only suffering.
Sure, the initial bad decisions that lead to the plague of sin can be fun. Indulging in some envy or malice towards someone can feel good for a minute. Giving in to some fleshly temptation of food, drink, or lust can be fun for a short while. Those choices aren’t the real plague. They are the things that open the door to the infectious bondage of sin. That bondage is no picnic. It does not make one happy.
Being chained to demons is not an enjoyable situation. Emptiness, loneliness, depression, guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, doubt, weakness – these are the fruits of sin sickness. No one likes these.
That is why the gospel need not be altered for marketing purposes to remove references to forgiveness and freedom from sin. In fact, that’s probably the most appealing part for most, even though they may not say so.
Everyone puts up a front to appear happy with their decisions. But get people alone when they’re at a low point, or slightly inebriated, or grieving, or faced with illness. They will begin to share the truth – they that feel shackled by sin and want freedom. Usually, they don’t believe it’s possible. That’s why the gospel is so full of hope.
The gospel is not less attractive when it’s about freedom from sin. That does not mean that it should be presented simply, as Dallas Willard put it, a “gospel of sin management.” It’s not about just not doing bad things. That is rather flimsy and unattractive.
If the gospel is merely “don’t drink too much” and “don’t sleep around” then it’s little better than any other self-help program. The power and hope it contains are not in admonitions against bad choices, but in Christs victory over the dark spiritual forces that enslave people. Even over death itself.
The gospel message is not just about not doing bad things, but neither should it shy away from it’s core: freedom from sin.
They may tell you to your face they are happy as they are, but those in bondage are yearning for freedom and a way back into the light. Don’t fear to share it, and always strive to demonstrate it.