Full Gospel

[Pastorbps]

Have you noticed “Modern Christianity” seems to leave off the negative side of the Gospel message? People seem to preach Heaven but not Hell, Eternal Life but not eternal damnation, mercy but not justice, forgiveness but not the sins that need to be forgiven. They speak of God’s love but never mention God’s wrath. I believe this is a mistake.

Scripture teaches us there are two sides to the story and I believe mankind needs to hear both sides to appreciate the other side. When you read the OT you find a God who destroys the Earth with a flood and who turned Sodom & Gomorrah into ashes. You find God ordering the destruction of cities and the annihilation of every human being in those cities. Yet, you see a much different God revealed in the NT. He speaks of love, longsuffering, and forgiveness. Just as an example, in the OT he orders the stoning of sinners and in the NT Emmanuel refuses to allow the stoning of the woman caught in adultery. The picture both testaments reveal are so different one could be left wondering “Are there two Gods?”

Obviously there are not two Gods but there are definitely two sides of the same God. I believe the OT reveals God as a God of law and justice while the NT reveals God as a God of mercy and grace. Both work together to give a complete picture of God.

When you think about it, the cross tells the whole story although many only preach half of the message of the cross. The cross reveals a God of love and mercy who sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins. This is the side most modern preachers speak about and educate people about. They forget the other message of the cross – God doesn’t overlook sin. Think about it. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross to provide forgiveness? Why didn’t God simply forgive man without Jesus having to die? The answer is that God is a God of justice and He doesn’t overlook sin. God provided a sacrifice for our sins and we are left to either accept Jesus’ substitution or we have to bear the judgment for our sins ourselves. God doesn’t overlook sin.

Some think it horrible to preach about sin and judgment but how does one appreciate forgiveness if they don’t understand they’ve sinned? How does one appreciate mercy if they don’t understand the consequences of sin? People talk about being “Full Gospel” but you can’t be “Full Gospel” if you don’t tell the whole story of Salvation.
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God…” (Rom 11:22a)

I fear the enemy is succeeding in recruiting ministers to preach a lopsided message in an attempt to neutralize the power of the Gospel. Don't be fooled.

[oletimer]

AMAN AMAN AMAN

[RamboPreacher]

and a WOMAN too!!

[Russell Roberts]

Pastorbps,

Might the difference we see in God's actions in the O.T. and the New Testament the fact that Jesus brought peace? Just a thought. We must keep in mind and hold together the thoughts that God loves creation but hates sin and came to deliver man and creation from its power. Just a few thoughts.

[MacUser]

Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You are bearing witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true; for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from, or where I am going." (John 8:12-14)

Jesus therefore said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)