6 Ways to stay faithful to the gospel message

1. Call sin what it is, sin! The Bible says “Sin is the transgression of the law” 1John 3:4. Dont downplay its seriousness to avoid personal offence and conviction. Examples are ‘Going our own way,’ ‘Being self-centred’ and quoting Romans 3:23 without explaining the standard we have fallen short of.

2. Proclaim Hell as a place of punishment? Avoid misleading terms such as ‘Christless eternity’ ‘Eternal separation from God’ etc.

Jesus clearly taught Hell was a place of punishment. “Everlasting Punishment” Matthew 25:46, “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matthew 24:51, “Fire Unquenchable” Luke 3:17. Many gospel presentations quote 2Thessalonians 1:9 rather than the words of Jesus. This verse is inadequate because it is not a warning to lost sinners but rather a reassurance to persecuted believers in Thessalonica that “God would recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” Verse 6. Often the verse is not given in its entirety but rather quoted and then explained as ‘eternal separation form God’ which removes any idea of punishment and the only true Biblical motive for turning to Christ; to escape from the wrath to come.

3. Adequately explain the atoning Work of The Cross? Jesus willingly suffering and dying for our transgressions so we could be reconciled to God.

Here is where the message of the cross must get personal. If any idea of universal salvation is entertained one will stand far off gazing upon the cross as some distant and impersonal event. However when one is convicted of his own sin, which put Jesus upon the cross, suddenly his sacrificial death becomes up close and personal.

4. Use the law (The Ten Commandments) to bring knowledge of ones transgressions against God.

God in his infinite wisdom has given us His law. It is his plumb line to show us how straight he is and how crooked we are. Without it man will hold himself up against another standard, and comparing himself with others, will reassure himself he’s not so crooked after all. Paul said in Romans 7:7 “He had not known sin but by the law.” And Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: For by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

5. Uphold the Biblical command of repentance toward God as obedience to the Gospel. “God now commands all men everywhere to repent because he has appointed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness” Acts 17:30.

Repentance is not a mere feeling of ‘being sorry’ but rather a deep work of remorse and hatred for sin brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit upon a sinners heart. It will cause the recipient to run to Christ for mercy, and stay there. Anything else is cheap and unacceptable to God. Repentance happens when we agree with God about ourselves. Jesus said without it “We would perish”

Luke 13:3,5.

6. Uphold the correct Biblical motive for turning to Christ - Righteousness - Never offer some other motive such as ‘Life enhancement’ ‘Personal fulfilment’ or ‘Filling of a God shaped hole.’

The Bible is clear, sin is transgression of God’s Holy Law, the Ten Commandments. God’s holy law is the standard we fall short of in Romans chapter three. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be fatally “ wounded for our transgressions.” The scriptures clearly contrast ‘sin’ and ‘transgression.’ We are all born under sin and then go on to become transgressors. A baby although born under sin is not immediately a transgressor. He becomes one when he steals, lies, blasphemes, murders or breaks any one of the Ten Commandments. This is why the Bible makes a definition between sin and transgression. To tell someone God intends to punish them for just being born, will cause them to see God as unjust and vengeful. They are already under the punishment of death. However when they understand they have personally sinned against God by breaking his Ten Commandments, further judgement will seem just and fair. When someone breaks the civil law he is found to be a offender, but is charged with a specific offence. He is not found guilty for merely being an offender, but rather found guilty for the offence he committed. In the same way God will judge us for our offences, not just for being born. To help the lost see there need for a Saviour we must show them from what they need saving from. Jesus got personal with the women at the well in John chapter 4:17-18, confronting her with her personal sin of adultery. Imagine if Jesus had said “for all have sinned and fallen short.” Would that have helped her see her personal need for forgiveness? No. she would have been comforted not convicted!

The New Testament is full of those who became Christians for the wrong motive and fell away. Judas being at the forefront. Wrong motive will always produce a false convert. The church is full of people who have never come to Christ to be made right with God and escape the wrath to come, but rather joined fellowships for companionship, social standing, or to attain self-righteousness through good works.

Take head, many messages put forward as ‘The Gospel’ bear little resemblence to what the early church would have understood it to be. ‘Seeker friendly’ and ‘modernist’ thinking have flooded the market place aimed at bringing the good news into the 21st century. Unfortunately the actions of those however well intended, have in fact further alienated the sinner from Christ. This is the chief danger when we proclaim another gospel. Hooks such as ‘Jesus will give you a better life’ ‘Fill a God shaped hole’ or ‘God has a wonderful plan for your life’ have all introduced a false motive for turning to Christ; one of life enhancement.