Bible Thoughts

March 21, 1999

This scripture has been memorized by most Christians through the years. It states in plain and simple language what God has given to mankind to learn of salvation. It is in the gospel that we learn about Christ, about the church, about living the life of a disciple, and how to prepare to enter heaven. The negative side of the gospel are all of the warnings against apostasy, worldliness, false teachings, corrupting the gospel, as well as the eternal consequences of rejecting and/or ignoring what Jesus desires of each of us.

The power that is in the gospel came as a result of the death of Jesus Christ as he shed his blood upon the cross for all of mankind. This is the message that is to be taken into all theworld(Mark 16:15-16). There are commands to be obeyed, principles to be followed, and promises to enjoy. All Christians know this is the power of the gospel of which Paul speaks. Whatever man may devise, whatever man may invent, whatever man may advocate--the gospel--and only the gospel has the power to save mankind. This same gospel must be respected after one has obeyed the truth. It must be the only message that Christians take to the alien and use to strengthen brethren.

There are many worthwhile publications of men that promote ideas on how to live in this world, how to improve your health, how to deal with worldly problems, and a myriad of other situations faced by mankind. With all of the authorities, the books they have written, the television programs they have devised, the internet programs they have designed--none of these can take the place of the power that God placed in the gospel. While the majority search for answers in the methods of this world, the disciple of Christ puts his/her faith in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Surely, as Paul said, "...it is the power of God unto salvation."

When men, even within the kingdom, begin to doubt the power of the gospel and invent to themselves devices to attract the masses, they are heading for spiritual disaster. History itself has shown the consequences of trying to moderate the gospel in such a way as to please men. From the apostasy resulting in the Roman Catholic Church to the "Christian Church" to the institutional churches of Christ to the latest innovation and digression, men have sought to make the gospel palatable to the masses. And each time men have sought to "modernize" or "revolutionize" the gospel, departure from the truth has been the result.

Preaching the gospel in truth and simplicity will not make one popular with the general public. A congregation using only the gospel to teach people will, more often than not, be shunned by those who are unhappy with such a simple message. The majority will not listen; and many of those who do listen, will not respond to the simple words of truth. Too many are looking for something that attracts in much the same way as the worldly offerings attract. Resorting to methods and approaches they have learned, not from the word of God, but from slick advertising and crowd-pleasing tactics, the gospel is pushed into the background and what truth is used receives little attention. Messages and activities that ring with the latest gimmick bring large crowds, but messages that are purely based upon the truth of the gospel has little effect upon the worldly-minded.

Paul said the gospel was the "power of God." Whatever illustrations, whatever stories, whatever methods, whatever hand-on-activities, whatever overheads, whatever sayings, whatever is used, must focus on the gospel. Any approach that detracts from the power that God has given us is wrong. From Pentecost to the present day, we must stand up for the gospel and we must teach and preach only the gospel. May we never fall into the trap of believing that we must update the "old-fashioned" message that has been spoken for almost two thousand years. The truth, in plainness and sincerity, saved the people on Pentecost, in the Roman world, and is the only thing that can save men today. Any method or approach that focuses one's attention away from the gospel is a denial of the power of the gospel.

All illustrations and all helps in the pulpit and in Bible classes must focus upon Bible facts and truths. Any map, any chart, any overhead, any methodology, etc., is to be directed toward teaching God's word. Such is the responsibility of those who are Christians. Living in a world that has tried to replace simple gospel truths with the sayings and commandments of men, such is not an easy task. Worldly minded people will seldom be impressed and will flee to churches that cater to the latest wave and innovation. It is not surprising that those who promote such(including some churches of Christ) attract large crowds.

The masses in the days of Christ and in the days of the apostles, were not moved by the gospel. It is no different today. The Lord did not change his message; the apostles did not change theirs; let us not change what the Lord has left us(the gospel). Be willing to stand up for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of God's word. Such a stand may not bring you favor in the eyes of men, or some brethren, but it will prepare you to stand in the presence of God without fear. Paul declared unto men "the gospel which I preached unto you"(I Corinthians 15:1). Let us be as Paul.