God's Word to the Wise

A Word to the Wise

Is it possible to be Christian but not a disciple? I frequently encounter people who identify as Christians, but have yet to give up their sin(s). Some have told me they know what the Bible says about their sin(s) and they confess their sin(s) to God. Their interpretation of 1 John 1:9, is if they confess their sin, God forgives them, yet there isn’t any repentance.

These “Christians” have asked Jesus into their heart and they have been assured that having done so guarantees heaven is their final destination; “it is by grace one is saved and not by works.” I respond with Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

The understanding so many “Christians” have of their spiritual condition is because the Gospel is not preached. What? You say. I will say it again; the Gospel is not preached. The contemporary gospel is the good news without the bad news; salvation absent of repentance. People are not warned they are liars, thiefs, blasphemers, adulterers, and fornicators and therefore are under the wrath and curse of God. Rather they are told what others call the American gospel that Jesus died to give them a purpose for living and to help them find fulfillment.

This gospel goes something like this, does your life have no purpose or meaning? Do you see yourself as a failure? Are you battling depression, addiction, and health issues? Jesus can and will rescue you from these and more? He will help you understand that God loves you and has a purpose for your life. He will enable you to do things you never thought possible. You will become a new person with a positive self-image and renewed sense of self-worth.

People don’t react well to being called liars, thiefs, adulterers, etc. so it is believed by many of today’s pastors that they must minister to people’s felt need, and cover the reality of sin and its consequence after they have had time to better understand the Bible.

I understand that Paul in Galatians 1:6-10, under the direction of the Holy Spirit was warning about the “Gospel of the Judaizers,” but Paul’s warning can be applied to any who preach a false gospel. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

The true Gospel is, first the bad news. We have sinned against God, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 and therefore we are under the just condemnation of God. “One man Adam committed one act of selfish disobedience resulting in condemnation for “all men.” Now because of Adam’s one transgression, all men are born condemned and are all guilty before God, fully deserving the eternal flames of hell.” (My revised substandard version of Romans 5:18a) BUT, the good news is, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1

So… “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7