Pulpit & P
ew
Gossip and gospel
Welcome to 2026, a brand new year; the old year is past, God’s present is here! For many, it’s tradition to make new resolutions.
What new choices will you make? Popular resolutions usually include: losing weight, getting into better shape, nicer clothes, cars, and homes, and whatever the latest trends promote, based on popular culture shared by word of mouth or “gossip.”
Curiously, the term “gossip” originated from an Old English term referring to a godmother, who could provide choice details about her close friend’s new baby. Today, gossip has morphed into social media, “electric gossip”. It’s what “people say,” and shapes the latest modern trends.
In addition to human gossip, there is the “gospel,” the good news of God’s word that he has chosen to communicate to every person, everywhere. It begins on a note of sorrow, that on our own, we have all failed both him and ourselves. But resounding joy follows that Jesus has already suffered our penalty for us, and freely offers full restoration by our sincere trust in him. God challenges each of us, not just for a new year, but for a lifetime to become a new person.
The Apostle Paul shares that by faith in Jesus, one “is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” in 2 Corinthians 5:17. And God’s Holy Spirit is given to enable his children to serve him, Romans 8:9-17.
Salvation is free (Jesus paid the price for us), but must be chosen. And we can only choose it for ourselves, not for anyone else, not even for our family. We can pray for them, help them, encourage them, but each person’s choice determines an individual destiny of heaven or hell.
What is essential is that we communicate God’s gospel. It is easier — and certainly more comfortable — to act as if everyone is heavenbound, and simply urge people to be thankful and to try to do better. I have seen this in many a church service. But the spiritual surgery of salvation that only God can perform is absolutely necessary to provide spiritual life, and to prevent spiritual death.
Let’s not bypass the gospel of God’s grace. It brings true gratitude and the living desire to please God.
— Dr. Tom Phelan, Chaplain
