The True Gospel

  The Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached as a witness to all the world before the end comes according to Matthew 24:14. Many feel that the gospel has already reached every part of the earth through missionaries, translations of the Bible and satellite broadcasts, yet is it the gospel that Jesus and the first century disciples shared? There is a substitute gospel - a smooth message that in many cases avoids the cross; not Christ’s atonement, but the death we must identify with, to ourselves and flesh driven appetites (daily). This continual work of crucifixion completes us in our stature of maturity. Galations 2:19-20 states this clearly. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This is the only way to become perfected in Christ Jesus.

  We have been bought with a price means that our redemption body, soul and Spirit was purchased by the atonement of Christ's death. The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We exchanged our soul life for Christ’s spiritual one. Our goals and desires should be in line with the purity and integrity of the Saints who walked the narrow way before us. Paul, having shared his identification with the crucifixion, fervently prayed that he might attain to the resurrection. Philippians 3:8-10 confirms; For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I main gain Christ 9 and be found in him,..in the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.  There is a work to be finished between these two states. 

  First, our inner man receives regeneration when we become "saved". Then as we yield to the Holy Spirit and allow His work of sanctification to be completed, our soul becomes transformed. Romans 12:1-2. Our soul is a combination of our emotions, intellect, attitudes, feelings and senses. This process is described and required as necessary for a victorious Christian life in many scruptures. When we hear the message come to Jesus it is implied that we are to also become like Jesus. This is the Good News  that through the Spirit of God we have access to His power and love to overcome the world, flesh and the evil one. This lifestyle surpasses that of the rich and famous for it is an inheritance of healing, peace and wisdom and all of the things that money and prestige cannot buy. We must learn to "put under" our flesh and yield to the inner man and walk in the Spirit.

  The prosperity message is certainly a perversion of the gospel message for most churches have lost the essence of self sacrifice, simplicity or humility in putting on Christ. Repentance and the turning away from not only sin but the world takes a deeper commitment to follow the Lord in all circumstances. The Bible even states that if we are friends with the world (desiring to serve mammon and aquire the things, status and values of the world) we are at enmity or in opposition to our Heavenly Father. It is hard to remember or understand that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and not the systems and governments of the world. We dwell here and we may even feel the need to participate in or influence these areas of social and economic exisence but ultimately we must value and serve our Creator and Lord first. As the time of the end of the age comes more fully into our lives, our focus and obedience will be moving more directly towards or away from TRUTH. At some point in time it will be black and wghite to serve the Lord or the Anti-Christ. There should be evidence that we have received His Gospel message. Eventually those who proclaim this gospel will need to bear the fruits of righteousness and bring glory snd honor to His name.

   The gospel has lost it's effect because we have neglected many of the foundational lessons involved in bringing a person into their place in Christ. One lost mandate is to make disciples of all men. As the word denotes there is a requirement of discipline of commitment and fervent desire for being made Holy and complete in maturity. Discipleship lays the foundation that is necessary to continually convert the sinner. Part of that lesson is about being set apart or separated from the world’s way of thinking and acting to learn the ways of God. Continuing in the last part of chapter 3:18 for many live as enemies of the cross of Christ whose...end is destruction their God is their belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set upon earthly things. 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

  We must prepare now to be faithful in the years ahead. I’m not talking about survival of our flesh but the lifestyle that forsakes the world. Hopefully, we will gain greater resistance to expecting the world’s systems to provide for us. We can leave behind the enticements of mammon while replacing them with spiritual growth to overcome in the power of the Lord. How can we overcome anything if we cannot identify the things that are enemies to our souls or if we are comfortable with accumulating the very things that must decrease in our lives? This is not a puritan attitude or a vow of poverty. It is a more simple life where we can enjoy what we have especially our relationships that are being smothered out from lack of time and energy.  I truly believe that YHWH will take care of His own with provision in the earth which is vastly different from the world systems that are influenced and many ruled by Satan.

  The Good News is in Christ’s identification with all who need deliverance and restoration; Isaiah 61. He restored our fellowship with Almighty God. We identify with him as we appropriate the will of YHWH in the earth and in the lives of the hurting and downtrodden ones while we operate with the signs that follow those who believe. This is a totally different type of good news for it sets the captives free. We find the opposite of worldly wealth in the riches of glory in Christ Jesus which no money can buy; health, peace, joy, fellowship and so on. These are the treasures that we store up in heaven. The works of faith are to become manifested in all true believers to paraphrase here...as you go and preach the good news declare that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and speak in other languages so all can understand. In all things you have received freelyfrom God so give freely to others in need.  The preaching of the Gospel and God's Word should have signs and wonders following. This is not just at conventions and gatherings of popular revivals but in the local assemblies and even in the streets.

  The Gospel is shown in Ephesians 6 as part of our spiritual armor. The symbolic two sandals being shod with the preparation of gospel of peace are included with the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Peace must be as prevalent in our assemblies as on the mission field. The fruits of righteousness are sown in peace by those who make peace [the Sons of God] (James 3). The message of truth should bring together those who are faithful and humble as a community. Learn to consider what you have and are as a part of the multi-membered, inter-dependent body of believers. Find ways to bless others in giving your time and encouragement as well as meeting material needs. This is not tempting Him but proving Him as you grow in faith and spiritual strength. It is good to practice God’s principles in all seasons. Learn to dwell in peace with all that you meet and especially find ways to walk in love, even with your enemies.