Don't Muddy The Gospel

I found this excellent blog article today, by Army chaplain David Rutkin, which I wanted to share with my blog visitors as well. I thank God for fellow truth-tellers like David Rutkin, who get the Gospel 100% correct:

Don't muddy the Gospel.  Explain it simply so it can be understood by the hearer. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most significant element of the Christian faith. 

Needless to say, the Gospel should be preached at church and I firmly believe at every occasion. 

The Apostle Paul separated himself from others according to the clear Gospel message of Christ (Rom. 1:1). The Gospel is where he divided himself from another. 

The clear Gospel message should be the foundation of where a church stands. If one does not get the Gospel saving message correct (Rom. 1:16), then they are likely to err in other understandings of Scripture.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is His sinless shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection as the full substitute payment which saves a sinner from eternal damnation when believed by faith. 

If the Gospel is tampered with at all and not explained vividly, it can lose its saving effect.  Notice the verses below.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” - 1 Corinthians 1:17

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 11:3

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” - Galatians 5:4 

This is a harsh reality, and a real tragedy which is going on in many Christian churches today. Every Bible-believing church should give a clear presentation of the Gospel and invitation to accept Jesus Christ alone as Savior by personal faith. 

I’m a stickler for a clear presentation of the Gospel. 

Salvation is not a sinner promising to turn from sin, sorrow for sin, or giving their life/heart to Jesus so that He will save them. Salvation has nothing to do with our promises or gifts to Christ. Salvation is simply us accepting Jesus’ satisfactory payment on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We simply trust in Jesus alone to save us (Acts 16:31, Rom. 4:5, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9). 

Jesus gave His life for us (Gal. 1:4, 1 Tim. 2:6, Tit. 2:14); we don’t give anything to Christ for salvation. 

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Gal. 2:21). 

If we make salvation about us or something we promise to do for God, then salvation is no longer a gift, but we earned it (Rom. 4:16, 11:6). A sinner must understand they have nothing to offer Christ, but simply trust in Him alone to save them by accepting His substitutionary payment for their sins. 

I do not believe I am splitting hairs because as seen from numerous Scripture above, the Apostle Paul was just as dogmatic. 

SOURCE: The Crystal Clear Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Judas Repented - Matthew 27:3