I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7
What could be worse than the church losing the true gospel?
In our world today we are facing many serious disasters – terrorist attacks, earthquakes, hurricanes, famine, financial collapse, pestilences – but still NOTHING outweighs the tragedy of this one thing . . . THE CHURCH LOSING THE GOSPEL!
For when we lose the gospel, we lose salvation.
This is the greatest disaster of all.
Did any of the apostles ever say “just repeat this little prayer after me?” This is not salvation.
People need conviction of their sin and deep repentance. They need to be water baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. These are not just “optional extras”. Look at what it says in Acts 2:38
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Where are the new birth experiences today? Where are the transformed lives and freedom from sin? Have we lost it all?
In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul warns:
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned. As we have said already, and now I say it again; If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
In many of the messages preached today on television or in the many “revivals” going on around the country – people very rarely are preached a message on sin and repentance. It’s about signs, wonders and miracles and receiving “the spirit”. What spirit? We are admonished to test the spirits, whether or not they are from God? [See 1 John 4:1]
People go years without water baptism – many places its not even mentioned anymore – which means the old man has not been buried with Christ? [See Romans 6:3-4]
Why did the apostles always baptize people immediately?
Why did the apostles always make sure people received the Holy Spirit right away, and how did they know they had received it? How can someone walk in holiness without the indwelling Holy Spirit? Jesus himself said that no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again of water and the Spirit. [See John 3:3-5]
We have lost the true gospel and many do not even know it,
and sadly many do not want to believe it!
A gospel of convenience has been invented, a gospel without the cross. A gospel without the blood. A gospel without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. A gospel without repentance. A gospel without holiness and the power to live a Christian life – which is NO GOSPEL AT ALL.
Is it any wonder today’s church is lukewarm?
It is any wonder the world is facing God’s judgment?
The gospel of Jesus is the cornerstone upon which everything else is built. Without it we have nothing.
Pray that God would bring back the true gospel and those who will preach it – in Jesus name. Amen.