"Which Gospel?"

  Brethren in the Galatian region were turning the gospel of Jesus Christ into something it wasn't intended. They were adding works of the Law along with Christ for salvation and it condemned them before God. In fact, when anyone begins to distort the gospel of Christ, they find themselves accursed (Gal. 1:6-9)!

  Today, many seem to be replacing the gospel that saves with other gospels. Too many are more concerned with appealing  to the minds of the masses rather than the only gospel preached and that can save. Here are a few that come to mind:

Psychological Gospel - This is a gospel of "feel-good" and based on the power of positive thinking. Don't speak against any sin or make any statements that are in the negative. That turns people off!

Social Gospel - This gospel is a "good-ole-boys club". It is built on surveys, projects, busy doings, efforts to raise funds and having a good time with one another. It is more of a lodge type appeal to accept those who feel rejected in other clubs or societies.

Emotional Gospel - This gospel draws into excitement with thrills, heart felt moving stories and an atmosphere of a pep rally. It wants to feel something!

Sacramental Gospel - Perhaps many have been drawn into this not even aware. It is a gospel that the power of God is expressed just by doing the basic expectation. It is a gospel that those who pop in for the Lord's Supper on their way to hunting, fishing or some other event they have planned for the day. They feel they have fulfilled the Lord's basic command.

Theological Gospel - This gospel has a strong appeal to a intellectual acceptance. It is a dissecting acceptance of the abstract truth found in Scriptures. It is a gospel that we must be right on every single issue and points out why everyone else is wrong! This type of gospel will lead to slow starvation.

But here comes Jesus into our world bearing the sins of man. It is by His wounds one is healed. It is by His death, burial and resurrection that we can have fellowship with the Father. It was this gospel that Jesus sent His apostles into all the world preaching and teaching. It is a blood-bought gospel that defeated sin and brings us into the presence of a holy God. It is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). This gospel is Jesus! Paul wanted to know Jesus and Him crucified (I Cor. 2:2). It was the word of the cross, not the word of man (I Cor. 1:18)! The New Testament church of Jesus didn't grow by preaching the book of Acts! The church multiplied by preaching Jesus and His resurrection!! The focus was Jesus, not the church or anyone else.

  Yes, when we were dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ. It is by His grace that saves us (Eph. 2:4-9). The gospel...Jesus and Him crucified. Anything else is a false gospel.