This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Buildhouses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Jeremiah 29:4-7

We live in a world full of divides. Whether it's Pepsi vs. Coke, marvel vs DC, or bigger things like politics, we often end up picking sides. The Church isn't immune to division -  some focus on personal salvation and the relationship between us and God, while others prioritise social justice and caring for the world. But just like white bread lacks the good stuff found in whole grain, a gospel that focuses only on one side of things is missing something. We need the "whole gospel.”

The whole gospel means not just praying for personal salvation but also caring for the world around us. We’re called to love our cities, and pray for peace and prosperity. We're not supposed to step back from society but engage with it, showing love to our neighbours, whether they’re like us or not. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies, and that’s not always easy, but it's what He did, all the way to dying for them, on the cross.

To live this out, we need to build real relationships. It's about sharing who we are, sharing how God has impacted our lives, showing love, and letting others see God's goodness through our lives. It's also about showing hospitality, especially to those who aren’t like us, and loving those might not agree with.

The whole gospel is about relationships—vertical with God and horizontal with people. It's not just about talking; it's about acting, loving, and demonstrating Jesus' heart in everything we do. We’re called to be light in a dark world, sharing God’s love and helping others see the hope He offers.