But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8
Has it ever occurred to you that what is passing off as "todays gospel", isn't "The" Gospel at all?
For instance, when someone believes that they must follow some outward procedure first (like self-sacrificing, joining a church, getting baptized with water, making resolutions. filling in the blank, etc.), BEFORE they can receive "The" Gospel and share in its blessings, are not on the same page as truly born-again Christians.
Or when someone is told and believes that they must obey some outward procedure afterwards (like self-sacrificing, joining a church, getting baptized with water, making resolutions, filling in the blank, etc.), AFTER they have received "The" Gospel are deceived as well. Both parties believe in and obey "A" Gospel but not "The" Gospel!
First off "The" Gospel stands for "The" Good News! It is something handed down by God, something that He is giving to us "Freely" at no cost or obligation on our part. It is 'a Whole New Life, a Whole New Way of Life and Living', a life where death has been swallowed up in victory - the victory over sin! Think about it! This is 'Stupendously Good News'!!!
The Gospel contains God's Grace: God's way of saving sinners from the very electric chair (so to speak) with 'Death' about to throw the switch at any second. It can be likened to a stay of excustion - even more - it is a complete forgiveness, pardon and release!!! It takes the prisoner; who deserved death, out of death row - even more - out of the very electric chair itself setting them free and completely liberating them.
It is not "A" Gospel of Grace that we can earn in some way by our doing, nor is it one that we can keep if we think that way. It is "The" one and only Gospel given to men; to men who are in chains - to men who know they're sitting in the electric chair (i.e. 'who know that they stand guilty before God and can't do a thing about it') - to these same men who have in an instant been freely pardoned, by the Graciousness of God, and know it, and know this by no less an authority than God Himself. Think about it!
The POWER to believe comes from our HEARING the one true Gospel!
What exactly is "Hearing"?
To Hear is to Understand! This is an understanding with the heart not just with the mind. This is not an intellectual understanding I am speaking of here but an inner understanding - a total recognition of sin and personal sins against God - a total recognition of Christ - a 100% acknowledgement of this truth - a light that penetrates ones being that can and does enlighten the heart to HEAR God's word - a total coming of the senses - a God-given ability to grasp the truth as it is is given by God! Without this there can be no salvation. Without this there is only futile works and acts of vanity.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6
So as we can plainly see by just a 'few' of the above examples of God's word that we are saved by 'Grace' - Grace that operates through 'Faith' - Faith we gain when we 'Hear" God's word concerning His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and act accordingly through such a faith.
This kind of 'Faith' would involve 'true remorse' (a true, heart-felt sorrow for all known/past sins committed against God) - 'repentance' (a complete turning away from sin) - and 'obedience' (to the voice of God speaking to the heart).
This is a whole new ball game, a whole new way of life... and all brought about because one has HEARD THE Gospel of the Kingdom being proclaimed to their hearts by human words (whether in writing or in speech) that speak to ones heart through the operation of the Holy Spirit. What happens to the person who begins to Hear God's word is (as told by Jesus) this...
...I will send Him to you,
So when the Spirit enters into these 'responsive vessels', He takes the word and shines it into the dark recesses of these hearts and convinces these people of their sins: of sin and what sin is and isn't; of righteousness and what true righteousness is and what it isn't; and of the personal judgement, and of all that it entails and is about.
Only The Holy Spirit can take and put God's word to work in the human heart in order for us to SEE things we never knew or saw before, personal things concerning ourselves as well as God and His Glory.
It is He who takes and reveals Jesus to us. We are shown His awesomeness and beauty in going to the cross FOR US unworthy sinners, and we are moved to tears by His preciousness and willingness to go to the cross FOR US unworthy sinners, and He did so all because He loves us and loves the Father.
Yet only those who appropriate such Love, Grace and Truth as is found in Him and as He is by faith alone (with no extras of their own making thrown in) will be saved. It can truly be said that such a person not only Hears but Understands The Gospel Message, sells all (false hope, wishful thinking, etc.) they own in order to lay hold of and enter the Kingdom of God, appropriating all of it by faith through and in Jesus Christ, thus receiving God's Saving Grace... and they Know it (because they Know Him - and He them)!
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7
I pray that 'You' allow this "Miracle" - this "New Birth In Christ" - to happen to you.
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:7b-8
May every blessing in Christ be yours,
Biff
