Ashamed of the Gospel? Standing Firm On The Folly of the Cross!
Aug 10
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Paul begins his theological treatise with this phrase, which has made its way unto coffee mugs, t-shirts, christian jewelry, people’s body in the form of tattoos. It is the thesis/foundation for many evangelistic ministries. However, over the last few years and more heavily today, the Gospel is now being brushed aside as too simple, redundant, not enough and to make matters worse it is even being redefined by the likes of many.
The Gospel is not palatable, it is not popular and only those who accept it by grace find any comfort in it. In others words it is a tough pill to swallow an isolating even polarizing truth in which many have died to proclaim. Listen Paul risked His life on this truth. Not only from the Greeks but also from the Jews. He explains such struggles in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
Today everybody loves Jesus (even Gandhi) but they have a serious problem with the Gospel. Without the Gospel Jesus is just another nice guy, extremely nice but nice none the less. He is another Gandhi, Mother Theresa, another Santa Claus another Robin Hood of type. If you take the Gospel and tweak it what you have is merely a good list of moral principles to live buy to help you along in life. However I want to challenge such a notion.
The Sinfulness of Sin
Listen Sin is the reason for the ministry of Jesus Christ. To exclude sin from the Gospel is to take away the sting and sweetness of the cross. Sin is what caused the Father to turn His back on the Son, to ignore His cry from the cross, it is what got Jesus spit on, slapped, beat to a pulp, His beard torn off, mocked, a crown of thorns placed on His head, nailed Him to a cross and caused the Father to “crush Him” as the prophet Isaiah expresses. Remove Sin and you remove any need for the Passion to ever take place. Every animal that was burned and slayed was because of sin. To somehow attempt to make sin just another thing is to make a mockery of our crucified Lord. However, today moral arguments are being constructed to define sin as something other than sin. A Gospel without the dreadfulness and weight of sin, is no Gospel at all. If we are too embarrassed to talk about Sin we are too embarrassed to talk about the Savior because what are we saved from?
The Bloody Cross
Many theologians are now calling the atoning work of Christ “cosmic child abuse”. This is to say that a loving God would never do that to His Son, especially because He was innocent. This attempts to redefine exactly what occurred. The great exchange our sin for His righteousness. The cross was the plan of God and it was a hideous day, the day an innocent man stood in place of the wicked, again, being “crushed” by His Father. The Father set the sins of the world on the Son and let out His HATRED for sin. To the point where the Son says “Father why have you forsaken me”. The perfect fellowship that had been enjoyed from eternity had to be interrupted. There was no other way justification for the wicked could take place.
I know we get the tattoos and wear the pretty necklaces and even have pictures and drawings and woodwork of the cross all around us. It sort of cheapens the gravity of it. But the cross was not a pretty sight, it is written that you wouldn’t even want to look at Him because He was so disfigured from the abuse. The cross is not to be taken lightly. Not only that it was you and I who beat Him, hung Him, and mocked Him. A cross-less Gospel is no Gospel at all.
The Exclusivity
The next component of the Gospel that many find appalling is the exclusivity. Jesus is the only way. In a pluralistic society. One who boasts of intellect and political correctness, the announcement that there is “no other name under heaven by which man may be saved” is detestable, foolish, downright idiotic. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3:19.
However we have no Gospel, it is worthless, if our message is not exclusive. To proclaim multiple ways is to also denounce the work of Jesus Christ. It is to call God a liar, one cannot hold multiple paths in concert with the Gospel Jesus proclaims as Jesus proclaims this Himself in John 14:6.
However, today we don’t want to look like fools, we don’t want to sound idiotic, we don’t want to polarize people listen the Church loses her distinctness her uniqueness bestowed upon her by her groom if she compromises, as a matter of fact she ceases to be the Church the day she decides to be palatable to the culture she is to be salt and light to. No exclusivity is no Gospel at all.
Damnation For The Wicked
Finally we come to the last thing the wicked will hear “depart from me”. God will not accept sinners on their own terms. God has provide an escape from the wrath to come (John 3) and that provision is in His Son, if this grace is refused, damnation is inescapable. I know there are those who teach of universal reconciliation but I will say with 100% confidence that is not a Christian message (not that those who teach it are not Christians but the message itself is not Christian). Paul is very clear about this in 2 Thessalonians 1 when he says:
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
The judgement of God will be swift and inescapable and we must teach this with all conviction and with all humility. Christ is returning and when He does the wrath that has been stored up will be unleashed and it will be permanent.
Lets not be ashamed of the Gospel for “it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe”. It is an unloving thing to proclaim any other Gospel than the one clearly conveyed in scripture. Let us be fools, dogmatic, narrow minded and even buffoons. We are heralds of a living hope, this message originated with God to modify it is nothing less than open defiance.
Lionel,
You stated:
“God has provided an escape from the wrath to come (John 3) and that provision is in His Son, if this grace is refused, damnation is inescapable.”
Maybe I’m not understanding your conviction on this. On one hand you say that a person is not able to accept Christ if they are not one of the chosen, but then you make statements such as the one above that seem to imply that you believe it is a free will choice for everyone to make.
So did God provide a way of escape for everyone or not?
Also to this reference:
“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction”
From that translation it would seem that punishment and destruction for many will last for “eternity”. However, when you consider the original word “aion/aionios” and the inconsistencies with it’s translation in other parts of the bible, it should make you inquire what the original word means. Especially when you know certain translators have biases based on their theological convictions. A literal rendering of the above text would be:
They will suffer the punishment of destruction of the ages (pertaining to the ages)”
This would possibly change the implication of the stated judgment. Given that age is pertaining to a specific time period (however long that may be), the scripture would seem to indicate a period (time) of judgment that will eventually come to an end (consumation of the ages) and not a judgment that last continually which would imply that death (spiritually) and sin never cease.
Jon,
To answer your first question, only those given to the Son by the Father will come and those that come are promised eternal life (John 6; John 10)
To your second statement you know I disagree
So why preach and teach Jesus to everyoone when most have no hope in him and therefore have no hope at all?
This kind of goes back to the discussion of why would God demand or command all men to repent if He would not allow them to repent to begin with. I still don’t understand how you allow for this major contradiction.
Jon,
You use the word “allow”, God does not block anyone from anything, He enables some. Let me ask you a question. Do you have a problem with the flood or the Nation of Israel? God did the same thing then. He only revealed Himself to a few, why do we have such a problem now?
No I don’t have a problem with the Nation of Israel nor with the flood. For they physically forshadowed some of the spiritual things to come.
How are they not blocked if they were born into something (by God’s chose) that they cannot escape (by God’s chose)?
If I was born into slavery and my owner refused to allow me freedom even though I desired it, would’nt that be considered blocking me or not allowing me to go free?
Jon,
I agree with your first statement. It does foreshadow something to come can you explain universal redemption in those two pictures?
Your last two questions ae great ones. Paul answered/asked those rhetorically (or at least I think) in Romans 9. Pharoh is a great example of this and so was Judas as far as I can tell. I admit there could be some mystery behind how man is responsible for sin and the doctrine of election; however, I can’t escape either of them.
The flood (water) and Sodom (fire) examples forshadow physically what goes would accomplish through Christ spiritually. It is a picture of complete destruction/eradication of sin and death through His judgment by the word (water) and the spirit (fire). It also symbolized by water baptism and being baptized by fire in the new covenant. God’s judgments always result in the destruction of the flesh (sin/death/carnality). He used physical death in the old to demonstrate spiritual death (crucificition of the flesh) in the new.
Pharoah and Judas were used by God in their willing disobedience to Him. They will receive judgment accordingly in the day (age) of judgment after the resurrection.
Interesting
Vengence is the Lords. He chastises and judges to bring about a complete annihialation of the flesh (carnality) so that there will be newness.
“So why preach and teach Jesus to everyoone when most have no hope in him and therefore have no hope at all?
This kind of goes back to the discussion of why would God demand or command all men to repent if He would not allow them to repent to begin with. I still don’t understand how you allow for this major contradiction.”
Someone once criticized Charles Spurgeon for believing in the doctrines of grace and stated, “Well, if you really believe that, why not preach only to “the elect”?” Spurgeon is reported to have answered to the effect, “Certainly, if you’d be so kind as to lift everyone’s shirt tails so that I may see who has an “E” stamped on their back!” The point is that we don’t know who the elect are, only God knows; that’s why we’re to preach the Gospel to everyone. Acts 13:48 is a great example of this. Paul, preaching to a crowd of Jews and Gentiles, might have wondered if there was any point in sharing the Gospel with such people, but he did nonetheless.
Remarkably, there were some among the crowd that desired more understanding regarding salvation, and they consequently asked Paul to preach the next Sabbath. Upon doing so, and as a result of God’s Sovereign electing grace, “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Doubtless this response will be sufficient for you, since “election” is the bone upon which you repeatedly choke; however, I offer it anyhow.
Mike,
Thanks for the backup. But you are correct, we preach because we are commanded and equipped by God to and our obedience brings about the salvation of those God has gracefully bestowed His elective grace upon.
Mike and Lionel,
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;”
Being called or elected is a term used to signify your current position in Christ. For you are considered one of the call or elected if you respond to the call of salvation and stay connected to the vine. You guys seem to misunderstand this point or maybe I’m wrong
I think maybe you are wrong Jon. That seems like the logical answer since I am right. Just kidding.
The problem is Paul of election as something that has happened and many times Paul sees this as before the foundation of the world. Not to mention Paul also speaks of this “remaining in the vine” to be something God has guranteed will come to pass for all who are in Christ (Romans 8). But either way when Paul talks of election in any detail, he uses the picture of Jacob and Esau and speaks of this election occuring before their birth.
I believe the election referred to for old testament people and the Nation of Israel is different than the election referred to for those in the Body of Christ under the new covenant.
Paul talks about some possibly being cut from the vine, others (Gentiles) being grafted into the vine, as well as some who have been cut from the vine being able to be grafted back in.
Jon,
As you talked about shawdows and pictures in one of your earlier comments, this is exactly what Paul has in mind here. Paul uses a physical reality to illuminate a spiritual one look at Romans 8 and 10 and tell me Paul is not speaking of salvation (he even includes himself in the remnant language, which would be impossible to mean anything but salvation).
Jon-
Sir, it is interesting that you quote 2 Peter 1:10 since if you read verse three of the same chapter Peter encourages believers that “His (that is, God’s) divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” Peter, therefore, seemed to clearly recognize that in order to obtain God’s divine power as it relates to life and godliness, one must first be called. Moreover, in the salutation of his first letter, he writes to those who are elect exiles in modern day Turkey. In verse 3 of that first letter he writes that God “caused us to be born again.”
Peter’s understanding of God’s grace in election isn’t surprising since Peter witnessed droves of disciples walk away as we read about in John’s Gospel (John 6:60-71). After telling “many of his disciples” that “it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh counts for nothing” (v. 63a), Christ clearly reiterates to all who were following Him at the time, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65).
Respectfully, I submit (per your own words) that perhaps you are indeed “wrong” on this point.
He is speaking of people, I don’t disgree with your statement just what you mean by the application of it.
There are different callings, elections, choices by God for different reasons and times. For example, 2 Peter it talks about making sure your “calling” and “election” is sure. In Rom 11:5 it talks about a remnant of the “elect” or “called” Jews who were considered a remenant by God’s “choice”. The same Jews that rejected Him and were thus hardened are the same Jews that are considered of God’s “choice” in Rom 11:28, although they were not included in the “choice” of the remnant Jews that believed at the time of the writing. They were both “chosen” “elected” by God but for different purposes and for different times. It goes on in Rom 11:11,12 & 30-32 to partially explain why God’s “choosings” were so (that God has shut ALL up in disobedience at some point so that He may show mercy to ALL).
Only those who had placed faith in Christ were considered to be apart of the remnant. We are only considered children of God if we have been born again which is spiritual birth. The physical nation of Israel was considered “elect” or the “called” only in regards to their forshadowing of spiritual Israel which are all those who are born again. This is what is referred to in Rom 9 with Jacob (representing spiritual Israel) and Esau (representing physical Israel). Both were considered called or chosen but they were different callings. One “calling” or “election” to physically forshadow the coming spiritual “calling” or “election”. The spiritual “called/elect” serve a special purpose for the rest of mankind (Jews and Gentiles) who are currently stuck in disobedience until the fulness or consummation of the ages.
Lionel,
Simple, clear and Scriptural. Great article!
“We don’t speak about these things in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual things to spiritual people. A person who isn’t spiritual doesn’t accept the things of God’s Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can’t understand them because they are spiritually evaluated.”
Jon,
Interesting perspective
Aussie J,
Thanks a bunch Sir
Jesus is truly the only way to the Lord….in all aspects.