In an effort not to offend and
be politically correct, we often bypass explaining major truths of God
like sin, the final judgment and even an eternal conscious hell. I know
I'm guilty of this. Like offering a medical cure to a sick person who
thinks they're well, why would they take it? Christ is offered often as
a life improver, or a relationship like you have never had. While this
is true, this isn't why I came to Christ - and I never would have come
had I not believed I was on my way to hell and life could pass at any
moment.
The grace offered through Christ is savored to the extent that these harder truths are understood and felt personally: We are sinners, there will be a judgment after death where God requires perfection, there will be an eternal conscious hell where perfection hasn't been met (which is everyone) - yet Jesus died that whoever trusts in Him will have His perfection accredited to their account - that is grace, that is salvation, that is the gospel. Jesus said "He who is forgiven much loves much, he who is forgiven little, loves little." Likewise He who understands the severity of what he is saved from loves much.
The gospel isn't culturally relevant, its a constant. Preachers for centuries expounded these truths (the law to convict of sin, the fleeting nature of life, the final judgment and the eternal conscious torments of hell as the consequence of rejecting Christ) ushering in the gospel (trust in Christ crucified for salvation) as the life vest to cling onto in despair. A relational push is good, so long as truth isn't forsaken or subtracted from the message. The truth spoken in love, that's how Jesus did it. He spoke more on sin, judgment and hell than anyone but offered himself as the escape from them all. Paul also in his preaching in acts preached on the final judgment - preaching repentance and a turning to Christ to be saved. Seeker sensitivity and the fear of offending people or scaring them away is a hindrance to understanding the gospel in its entirety. It does a disservice in the long run both to the kingdom of God and the individual (who often doesn't realize their condition before God). The healthy don't see the need for a physician, and the public generally thinks they are good people on there way to heaven apart from Christ. They're not that bad, which may be true, but they aren't perfect, which is the standard God will measure us by.
The great revivals of the 17th-19th centuries were birthed out of prayer and frank, loving communication. "Here's mans problem, here's the solution:Christ"....Christ was savored so much because people soberly grasped the severity of what they had been saved from, making them cling to Christ even tighter. Too often only the solution is pushed: take Christ for a better new and improved life!. While that's true, when persecution and tribulation come, they are like the seed on shallow ground.The gospel is offensive somewhat, it says "you're not as good as you thought you were...you need Christ to get to heaven". It shatters pride in people. Jesus wasn't murdered because he went around preaching love and peace. Who would find fault in that? He was murdered because He proclaimed Himself as the only way to be saved from Hell...this angered people who wanted another path to God.
There are two extremes to avoid, one is the hell fire preaching that leaves people in despair, minimizing the gospel. The Other is preaching "come to Jesus" with out an adequate explanation as to why, minimizing the aforementioned less pleasant truths of God. Balance is everything. The entire truth shared from a heart of love and care.
The grace offered through Christ is savored to the extent that these harder truths are understood and felt personally: We are sinners, there will be a judgment after death where God requires perfection, there will be an eternal conscious hell where perfection hasn't been met (which is everyone) - yet Jesus died that whoever trusts in Him will have His perfection accredited to their account - that is grace, that is salvation, that is the gospel. Jesus said "He who is forgiven much loves much, he who is forgiven little, loves little." Likewise He who understands the severity of what he is saved from loves much.
The gospel isn't culturally relevant, its a constant. Preachers for centuries expounded these truths (the law to convict of sin, the fleeting nature of life, the final judgment and the eternal conscious torments of hell as the consequence of rejecting Christ) ushering in the gospel (trust in Christ crucified for salvation) as the life vest to cling onto in despair. A relational push is good, so long as truth isn't forsaken or subtracted from the message. The truth spoken in love, that's how Jesus did it. He spoke more on sin, judgment and hell than anyone but offered himself as the escape from them all. Paul also in his preaching in acts preached on the final judgment - preaching repentance and a turning to Christ to be saved. Seeker sensitivity and the fear of offending people or scaring them away is a hindrance to understanding the gospel in its entirety. It does a disservice in the long run both to the kingdom of God and the individual (who often doesn't realize their condition before God). The healthy don't see the need for a physician, and the public generally thinks they are good people on there way to heaven apart from Christ. They're not that bad, which may be true, but they aren't perfect, which is the standard God will measure us by.
The great revivals of the 17th-19th centuries were birthed out of prayer and frank, loving communication. "Here's mans problem, here's the solution:Christ"....Christ was savored so much because people soberly grasped the severity of what they had been saved from, making them cling to Christ even tighter. Too often only the solution is pushed: take Christ for a better new and improved life!. While that's true, when persecution and tribulation come, they are like the seed on shallow ground.The gospel is offensive somewhat, it says "you're not as good as you thought you were...you need Christ to get to heaven". It shatters pride in people. Jesus wasn't murdered because he went around preaching love and peace. Who would find fault in that? He was murdered because He proclaimed Himself as the only way to be saved from Hell...this angered people who wanted another path to God.
There are two extremes to avoid, one is the hell fire preaching that leaves people in despair, minimizing the gospel. The Other is preaching "come to Jesus" with out an adequate explanation as to why, minimizing the aforementioned less pleasant truths of God. Balance is everything. The entire truth shared from a heart of love and care.
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