“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33

In 1931 James Truslow Adams first coined the phrase “the American Dream” in his book Epic of America. He defined the American Dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”  This notion of life as better, richer and fuller has evolved into a national expectation of material prosperity and success. The Gospel itself is presented as a means to achieve the American Dream.  But is that what the Gospel is about?

As pastor and author, David Platt, suggests, we are “settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.”  The Gospel is too often treated as a means for solving all our problems and make us happy.  We are quick to speak of God’s love, mercy and grace, but much more reluctant to speak of His holiness, wrath and judgment.  The Gospel is both, but when we twist it into something we are comfortable with we are guilty of redefining the Gospel, with a tragically dangerous consequence.

The Scriptures declare, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  As a grandfather I want to be careful that the “good news” I give to my grandchildren is the real thing—the Good News, not something that promises what the Gospel does not promise. I do not want my grandchildren to believe that the Gospel is about the American Dream of material prosperity and success, but of abandoning oneself to discover the glory of a life that is hidden in Christ. How about you?

GRANDPAUSE: “The Gospel is a promise of righteousness, not a promise of happiness.” –Ray Comfort