Christian Living
It’s a mistaken belief that has crept into the Christian faith. The idea that we must present the gospel in a way that is nice, and acceptable, and will bring no adverse reaction.
So people hear a half-baked, I-mustn’t-upset-you gospel that tells only of God’s love. When they hear a half-truth version they think Jesus can be brushed away like a buzzing fly. A shrug of the shoulders—take Him or leave Him; a “what does it matter” attitude. It’s different when they know the full story and realise:
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
the only remedy for them is in Jesus’ shed blood; to receive Jesus as Saviour; to repent; to believe He is risen;
“being good” is never good enough without salvation;
the price to pay for rejecting Christ is eternal death.
BASIC TRUTHS
Those are the basic truths we must, must, must convey, whether people like it or not. We have failed to do it, and the society we see around us is the result.
Jesus (before crucifixion), the disciples, the apostles all gave the true gospel— and were hated for it. Stephen was stoned to death. It didn’t happen because he gave a nice, ear-tickling, palatable message.
The real gospel will always offend. We must understand that, and be prepared for a hostile reception from those driven by a satanic force.
CARICATURE
It is said the western world is saturated with the gospel. Not true, because people don’t hear the gospel as outlined above, but a caricature of it, a watered-down version. Many ministers today are reluctant to talk about sin, hell, eternal death. They only want to give sermons on the “nice” areas.
It is the truth, the total content of the gospel which saves. “…for it (the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe.” Romans 1:16.
THE AWFUL TRUTH
Some get saved because they hear one aspect only that contains a warning—that without Christ as Saviour they’re going to hell. They might have been furious, abusive on hearing that. The messenger may well have thought he’d failed. Yet after the recipient goes home and calms down, the Holy Spirit can build on those words they heard. They decide to do something about it.
Nowhere in the Bible does it say we should be concerned about and pander to people’s reaction. We are simply told: “preach the gospel.” Paul adjusted his general message depending on his audience, but undoubtedly he always gave the gospel.
We hear excuses for not doing so: “I’m a witness by my lifestyle—not swearing, drinking, fornicating.” Or, “I show God’s love, therefore I’m preaching the gospel.” That may sow seeds (better than nothing), plant the idea there is a God, but it tells nothing of a person’s lost status and their eternal destination.
ALTERNATIVE
There’s an alternative to preaching. We can distribute tracts— and the printed word goes from person to person. It can be studied, digested, read again and again. However, the tract must contain the basic truths with no mincing of words.
People cannot respond to something they haven’t heard about. If someone reads a scrap of paper containing only John 3:16 it tells them much of the gospel. That God loves the world (them); He gave Jesus, that whosoever believes is saved, and he who does not, perishes.
It’s time for us all to be bold, to present the whole gospel truth with God’s love. Or start distributing those scraps of paper—and even a bit more!
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"I wonder how many of them have 'taken it to the streets' in the days that have come and gone?" was the comment. In answer to that, I would say it is God's business. However, in my experience most pastors and ministers will not urge the believers to do it, so someone has to remind them. There is a lake of fire waiting, and that should motivate every Christian to go and tell - or at least give out some tracts!
These comments above were posted near to four years ago: I wonder how many of them have "taken it to the streets" in the days that have come and gone? My prolific friend; be concerned that you do not make your conviction anothers' calling; nor your calling anothers conviction. You are clearly the evangelist; consider that another and another still were called as Teachers, Pastors and to evangelize from that post. I commend your boldness, your tenacity; I had to come back four years worth to see if your present articles were consistent with the days in which this was written.
Good for you, Rod. I not only concur with what you say. What I'm hearing as part of the Gospel today is lamentably recasting biblical concepts. For instance, God doesn't want us to sin because He doesn't want us to harm ourselves. Whatever happened to: God doesn't want us to sin because it offends His holiness?
It's been so watered down that it is not even the milk of the word anymore, that is why so many cannot walk in the truth. For they have not partaken of the milk of the word, little less the meat!
Good work! (And I really liked Mary's comment above!)
Preach it brother! May we strive to never present a watered down gospel.
Sugar coating the gospel doesn't help anyone. Your content is excellent, check the "flow" of your article. You may want to take out anything repetitious. The title for each paragraph may not be necessary, may actually be interfering with how your article "reads".
Say it again, Sam!
Very well written, and a lot of truth. May we all boldly go into the world and share the gospel, so that we may boldly come before His throne. Blessings.
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