Jul
16
The Wrong Gospel
Filed Under Devotional
I enjoy the debate of ideas. I like hearing the details spread out on the table and considered carefully. I like a rhetorical flourish now and then, but I cannot stand it when the debater attempts to hide his true aim to achieve it. I get frustrated when commentators on my side tell me that I must soft-pedal my message to convert the fence-sitters. I reject that approach. What’s the value in winning converts if they’ve followed you based on a lie?
By the same token, I get very frustrated with churches that teach a gospel that’s easy to hear. They point to the thousands in attendance and the great numbers that were saved. But, what do all those in attendance think they were following? Which Jesus did they give their life to?
If you’ve made it easy to be a Christian, then it’ll be just as easy to stop. Jesus certainly did no such thing. He wasn’t about the numbers. He simply taught the truth with grace.
“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’
Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.’ ” John 6:60-65
He knew that there were people following who did not believe. He told them some harsh truths and challenged them to either step up to the commitment of following Him or go home. He didn’t want the people who jumped on board because it was the fad. He didn’t want the people who would fall away at the first sign of trouble. He wanted to build relationships with those who were serious.
Don’t soften the message when you share it. You can share it with grace, but you can’t change the Gospel. It’s the free gift that will cost you everything, but it’s worth even more than that.
Don’t win followers with the wrong gospel.