Bringing the gospel back

If you have read this blog for a while, you have heard me voice my disappointment over the Hallmark Channel’s choice to bow to the demands of the LGBTQ community. This Christmas season, Hallmark will air the first “holiday” movie featuring a gay couple who are struggling to adopt a child. But, there is good news for all of you who just groaned inwardly.

There are a LOT of people who don’t want to invite unbiblical thinking into our homes. I’ve written several emails to the board of directors at Hallmark. I’ve also used my blog platform to encourage others to take a stand. 

The good news: our voices are louder than we might have thought. 

Welcome GAC to your televisions

I hope I’m not jumping the gun because this is a new station. But, everything I have read points to a channel you and your family can enjoy this Christmas without wondering if the “holiday” movie will offend. 

GAC’s tagline is “Stories well told.” They are promising to honor family, faith, and wholesome entertainment. 

Bill Abbott is the former CEO of Hallmark and is now directing the GAC channel. An article I read said, “Abbott, who helped Hallmark grow its streaming content and become one of the most popular family-friendly channels in the market, left in Jan. 2020 after the company came under fire after a commercial (and movie) featuring a gay marriage.” 

Again, the GAC station is new and I’ve not seen a lot of their programming yet, but I am encouraged by what I’ve read and seen so far. I wanted to alert you to the new channel for your Christmas season, but I also wanted to remind you that your voice and your values really do make a difference in the world.

Like Paul, we should be “unashamed of the gospel”

Honestly, I think Romans 1:16 is the theme of 2021 for me. I hope it will be for you as well. That verse says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” 

I am blogging this month on what it means to be reconciled to God, drawn into a close and righteous relationship with our heavenly Father. Our theme verse for the month says that God has entrusted us with “the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). You and I have been called by God to share his gospel message with boldness, unashamed and eager to be reconciled to God and help others do the same. Our boldness is born from the fact that the gospel is the power of God “that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). 

Christians have been blessed with God’s power through the Holy Spirit, and we have been given a message that can bring anyone into a reconciled relationship with their heavenly Father.  

Just when did Christians begin to feel “ashamed” to share our message with the world? 

We have been labeled “intolerant fanatics” by some, and that’s okay

I ran across an article last week that I used in my Bible study lecture. I googled “How is intolerance defined?” 

One article listed these three criteria: 

  • In general, an intolerant person displays fanaticism when defending their beliefs and stances.
  • They need security and certainty, even if it isn’t real.
  • They impose their way of seeing the world on others.

Consider the definition above in light of Jesus’ words to his disciples. Jesus “said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15–16). 

As I told my Bible study, those who share the gospel message might be considered intolerant fanatics by some standards, but we are disciples by the standards Jesus gave us. We have to choose who we are wanting to please and choose the goals we want to achieve.  

God doesn’t want to tolerate sin because it harms his children. He wants to forgive and redeem sin so people can be reconciled to him. And we are called to be his disciples. 

Disciples are unashamed of the gospel and share the message through the power of God’s Spirit. Disciples help others be reconciled to God and gain the promise of eternal life through Jesus. 

Your influence is more powerful than you realize

Why are God’s people choosing to stay quiet when we have been given this privilege as a disciple of Christ? 

When did we start following the world’s suggestions instead of God’s commands? 

  • Is it inappropriate to share the gospel, or is it an opportunity?
  • Are we forcing our beliefs on others, or are we sharing the gift of salvation we received?
  • Do we have “personal” truth, or is Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)?

I often say, “Christians have a message some might find offensive so it has never been more important to speak his truth with his love for others. Our message can seem offensive so we have to work hard not to be offensive ourselves.” 

Christians have not been set aside, as some might suggest. Our message is actually standing out in our culture. 

  • Abortions are happening less often now. Even still, one is too many. Every abortion is taking a human life. Continue speaking up for those not yet born.
  • Television networks are noticing their numbers dwindle as a result of their programming. We vote our values every time we watch—or don’t watch—a program.

Christians should never underestimate our influence. Our only job is to yield ourselves to his Holy Spirit so that Jesus can speak through our words. You will never feel ashamed when the Lord has used your life and your voice to share biblical truth. 

Our message of reconciliation

If you know John 3:16–17, you can lead someone to faith in Christ. The entire gospel message is found in those two verses.  

Let’s fill our homes with strong, family values. Let’s fill our lives with the confidence that comes from living God’s values. Let’s fill our words of influence with “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” 

I’m going to fill my house with a lot more of the GAC station. I will vote with my remote in gratitude for a company that wanted to stand out in the crowd. My hope is that the channel will steadfastly hold to Christian and family values and become one of the most-watched stations in our country. 

Christians who are “unashamed of the gospel” are going to bring that message back to our culture. It’s beginning to happen thanks to all of us who are “intolerant fanatics,” also known as disciples of Christ.  

I’m in. 

Are you?