Statements of Purpose and Intent

Manifesto is not a word we use very often. Most people my age (47) or older think of the infamous 'communist manifesto' written by the infamous Karl Marx. I looked up the word in the dictionary and it means a statement of purpose and intent from a sovereign regarding his subjects. In recent years Dennis Rainey wrote a book with the title 'A Family Manifesto' a biblical statement of purpose and intent for the family. I would propose that in numerous spots in the New Testament 'gospel manifestos' can be seen. In fact, you could say every New Testament writing contains them; statements of purpose and intent from God to His people regarding the gospel's intended affects on their Iives and the world.

For example, Matthew 4:19 is one. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 16:24 is too. "if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The Sermon on the Mount is one long gospel manifesto, Matthew 5:20 being the pinnacle, pointing to our need for a righteousness from God. Jumping to Romans we see in 8:28-30 some of the most gospel saturated words in the Bible, and in 12:1-2, we see a course of action based on the magnificent truths laid out in the preceding 11 chapters, based on God's grace poured out on ill-deserving sinners. 2 Cor. 5:16-2 is based on the cloud-parting truth revealed in 2 Cor. 4:1-18. And so on.

Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians reveal much of God's gospel plans for us. His sovereign choice and purpose. His justification of sinners, their subsequent God-initiated and sustained resolve to trust Him for and love Him in everything.

There is so much more. All the way to the end of the book of Revelation. In fact, one can safely say the entire Bible is a gospel manifesto, God's statement of purpose and intent for His elect. It all finds it's true rest in Jesus Christ. He is the goal and aim of it all. God's glory seen in the face of Christ is the ultimate hope and desire of every true child of God saved by grace through faith in Christ.