I was reading an article this morning by Douglas Hoff. His point was that when we speak the truth in love, we are not being arrogant. Here are some points that he made.
Declaring there is only one true church Jesus will save is not a mark of arrogance. It is stating the truth that will save souls (Ephesians 1:22-23).
When people believe one church is as good as another, there is no incentive to seek the true church.
What does it mean to speak the truth in love? Apparently, some have concluded it means never upsetting anyone. However, this is not in harmony with God's word. See Matthew 15:12 and John 6:60-66.
Accusing a person of being arrogant when he stands for the unique identity of the Lord's church makes one a judge of the heart. Only God can judge a person's heart.
If you are interested, some of his articles (including this one) can be found at Seek The Old Paths. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Gospel
One of DS's homeschooling questions asked him what the Gospel was. His answer was that it was the good news about Jesus. I was glad that he got the right answer, obviously, but I realized we'd never actually come out and told him this. He's apparently picked it up from us, our friends, or from going to worship with us. It's definitely a reminder that children pick up a LOT more than we as parents can realize!
Later that afternoon, I got online and got an email from someone I hadn't talked with in years. I know this person had heard about the Gospel, but they seemed to have forgotten it's sheer importance. I think too often, we forget the simplicity of the Gospel and the need to share it with others.
The Gospel is the good news about Jesus. But what is this good news? It's not something that is drowning in theology. It's not confusing. It's very simple. Anyone can find it in the Bible if they want to.
Everyone, no matter how important or wealthy or good or whatever, was lost. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, sin and death was brought into the world (Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned). God can't abide sin, and since all people sin, all are lost. God didn't want anyone to be lost. He loves us so much that He planned from the beginning of the world to send his only Son to the earth to be the sacrifice to cleanse us from sin (John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved). With Jesus's perfect life, He defied sin (Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need). With His resurrection, He defied death (Matthew 28:6-7 - He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you).
He bridged the gap for us so we don't have to be eternally lost. In fact, He is currently preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also). All we have to do is choose to accept this gift of His grace. In Acts 2:37-39 - Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Without Jesus to bridge the gap, it doesn't matter how good anyone is. There is still sin to separate us from God. We can't be good enough to earn our salvation (Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour). We are pitifully undeserving! We have NO hope if we are relying on our own strength. But with Christ, we don't have to rely on our own strength. He's already done the hard part.
The only thing we have to do is read the Bible and see the instructions He's given us for living. There are instructions for parenting, marriage relationships, working, worship, and even finances. He even gives us our fellow Christians as a support group. Don't take what anyone says for fact unless it can be verified in the Bible. Nothing else, just the Bible. It is the infallible word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works).
Later that afternoon, I got online and got an email from someone I hadn't talked with in years. I know this person had heard about the Gospel, but they seemed to have forgotten it's sheer importance. I think too often, we forget the simplicity of the Gospel and the need to share it with others.
The Gospel is the good news about Jesus. But what is this good news? It's not something that is drowning in theology. It's not confusing. It's very simple. Anyone can find it in the Bible if they want to.
Everyone, no matter how important or wealthy or good or whatever, was lost. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, sin and death was brought into the world (Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned). God can't abide sin, and since all people sin, all are lost. God didn't want anyone to be lost. He loves us so much that He planned from the beginning of the world to send his only Son to the earth to be the sacrifice to cleanse us from sin (John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved). With Jesus's perfect life, He defied sin (Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need). With His resurrection, He defied death (Matthew 28:6-7 - He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you).
He bridged the gap for us so we don't have to be eternally lost. In fact, He is currently preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also). All we have to do is choose to accept this gift of His grace. In Acts 2:37-39 - Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Without Jesus to bridge the gap, it doesn't matter how good anyone is. There is still sin to separate us from God. We can't be good enough to earn our salvation (Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour). We are pitifully undeserving! We have NO hope if we are relying on our own strength. But with Christ, we don't have to rely on our own strength. He's already done the hard part.
The only thing we have to do is read the Bible and see the instructions He's given us for living. There are instructions for parenting, marriage relationships, working, worship, and even finances. He even gives us our fellow Christians as a support group. Don't take what anyone says for fact unless it can be verified in the Bible. Nothing else, just the Bible. It is the infallible word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works).
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