We were sitting in the coffee shop just before they closed. Dusk fell quietly outside the big picture window by our chairs. My twelve-year-old friend sipped a vanilla frappuccino while I blew on my steaming cup of decaf tea. At 37, I can ill afford a jolt of caffeine so late in the day. The disparity of our ages is obvious in the contents of our cups. She is my friend’s daughter, and we’ve been working out a discipleship relationship for the past few months—new territory for both of us, I think. It’s been an education I expected to give, not receive.
We’re nearing the end of the first book we’ve read together, and though I’m a little older than the target audience, the author has challenged and convicted me over and over again. A few weeks ago, we worked through a chapter on spiritual disciplines and why we need to practice them on a daily basis. Mentally, I cracked my knuckles and took a deep, satisfied breath. Teaching on spiritual disciplines is my specialty. I was certain I’d have lots of wisdom to impart.
Our discussion was perfectly fine. Not earth-shattering or full of brand-new advice. My young friend has grown up in the church—she knows what’s what. I was prepared to wrap things up when I posed one simple question to her based upon what we’d read and discussed. “Why do you think we need to come back to the truth of the gospel every day? Why do we need to read the Bible tomorrow if we already read it today?” Expecting something along the lines of “it’s the right thing to do” or “so we’ll know God better,” her actual answer floored me.
“Because there’s no gospel all day.”
I urged her to go on.
“You get up in the morning, maybe you read the Bible. Then go to school all day and there’s so many bad messages you’re getting from friends and social media and television and everything. You need to read your Bible because you’re not going to get what you need anywhere else.”
“So,” I offered, “it’s like all day you’re getting the opposite of the gospel. The anti-gospel.”
She nodded.
I nodded.
We wrapped up our conversation, exchanged prayer requests, I dropped her off at her house. But on the drive home, I kept hearing her simple explanation on a loop in my head.
What she explained so off-the-cuff—because there’s no gospel all day—I wish I’d grasped that at her age. I could have saved myself years of waffling over whether or not it was worth my time to carve out some time in my day to read my Bible. I didn’t believe the world was full of anti-gospel messages, but it was. It is. It’s always been.
I didn’t believe the world was full of anti-gospel messages, but it was. It is. It’s always been. Share on XThe apostle Paul prepared us for the anti-gospel climate of the world in Ephesians 6, and he told us how to withstand it.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV)
This is no small advice. This is a strong warning. It’s a declaration of war. It’s a reminder that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a lion seeking to devour whatever he can. We can’t see the fight beyond our vision, but it’s there and we wrestle against the darkness. Wrestle, not stand idly by. We live in enemy occupied territory, and our gospel message of faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone isn’t welcome to a world that celebrates the darkness. So my friend is absolutely right. There’s no gospel all day–unless we make a point to wrestle against the darkness and do so with the gospel.
Paul speaks of armor here. From head to toe, we’re outfitted with what we need to wrestle against the anti-gospel darkness. We have truth (found in the Word), faith in Christ (whom we learn about from the Word), the message of the gospel of peace (which we share from the Word), the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word). Through the power of Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, and the strong words of the Lord, we have everything we need to wrestle against the darkness, to offer hope to a world that’s blinded by that darkness, to stand firm when the enemy attacks us with his anti-gospel darts of deceit.
Whether we look to the right or the left, the anti-gospel message is thriving in its many forms. You’re good enough. You’re unredeemable. You sin defines you. Your sin doesn’t matter. Sin isn’t real. Truth is relative. You’re the hero of your story. God wants you to do what it takes to be happy. There are many paths to God. You are your own god. The anti-gospel shows up on every screen and in every human heart.
There’s no gospel all day, so we must endeavor to arm ourselves with it. And arming is outfitting for war. It’s defense and offense. It’s preparedness. It’s discernment between truth and lie. It’s alertness. It’s readiness. It’s hope. It’s peace. It’s everything we need that the Lord has given us. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Opening your Bible every morning before work or school or reading it every evening before bed may feel like a humdrum practice at times. Does it really matter? Am I really benefitting from studying these old words again and again? Do I need to memorize them? Is meditating on the words of God really worth giving up rest or leisure to make time for it?
Does any of this matter?
It matters.
Because there’s no gospel all day.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence (P&R) and Everyday Faithfulness (Crossway), and Memorizing Scripture (Moody). Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Cassie Watson says
Thanks so much for this, Glenna. Mornings are hard for me. I wake up already tired, and my first thoughts are so often selfish and irritable, thinking about all the things I have to do that day. I desperately need to spend time in the Word and prayer before I do anything else (well, apart from grab a cup of tea). Sometimes I wish that I’d make progress and not need God so desperately, but that’s folly. I’m learning that God will meet me with the grace I need every single day. Of course I need to come back to him during the day and before sleep—and he always gives me enough grace.
Glenna Marshall says
Thanks so much for sharing this, Cassie. I think everyone can identify with your feelings of desperation (and the times we know we’re desperate but don’t feel it so much!). God is so faithful to be kind and gracious to us when we’re struggling just to come to Him. I tell myself often, “You need Him just as much on your good days as your bad days.” Basically, we need Him all day, every day.