Almost twenty years later those words still ring in my ear. He continually reminded us of it in the classroom. He had it taped to his office door.

When meeting with him one-on-one he asked, “Are you keeping the main thing, the main thing?”

It was terribly important to him. He had seen the life-transforming effect it had when it was the main thing in a person’s life.

The main thing not only secured eternal life, but it was also the inauguration of a new life. One that was forgiven. Redeemed. Valued and accepted, warts and all.

It gives space and power for a soul to grow closer to Christ, to become more like him and less like himself.

It’s the good news that Jesus brings: it’s the gospel.

Paul reminds pastors to present the people under our care mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28-29). The gospel is the primary means to do so.

Consider sin. We sinned before we trusted Christ. We sin after too.

Yet, when we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) God forgiving us for our sin paves the way to make it easier to forgive each other. Applying the story of the gospel to our sin grows us closer to God and matures us at the same time.

Consider freedom. Now that the gospel is active in our lives, we can freely “put off our old self … and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God.” (Ephesians 4:22-24.) This allows us to forgo malice, slander, anger, and bitterness so that we can be tenderhearted, kind, and forgiving to each other as God through the work of Christ forgave us. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

The sure result of the gospel working in the lives of those under your care is a steady and growing maturity in Christ which gives them the power to:

  • Conquer habitual sin.
  • Reconcile severed relationships.
  • Stop performing in order to be accepted and loved.
  • Bring peace and quiet into a chaotic soul.
  • Know that they matter and have a purpose.
  • Surrender and trust God in all circumstances.

Dr. John Nyquist, my Evangelism and Discipleship Professor, taught me to keep the main thing the main thing because it would serve me well in ministry. It has. The people under your care will grow significantly closer to God and mature in Christ when you do.

Keep your eye on the main thing.

Grab hold of it. Treasure it. Proclaim it from the pulpit. Whisper it in the quiet moments of counseling. Teach it in small groups. Share it with others.