Nevertheless, those who peddle the gospel try to
make it easy. They preach various gospels -- easy salvation -- "so easy even a
cave man can do it." In the apostles' day folks were "perverting the
gospel," in effect turning it into "another gospel, which is not another,
but some would pervert the true gospel and draw away men after themselves"
(Gal. 1:6-9). Don't be shocked that preachers do the same today, when modern
marketing techniques have become an element of religious efforts -- put forth
all types of entertainment and recre-ation. Let us go from the very easiest of
plans to the more involved ones:
Everybody Is Going To Be Saved (Universalism).: -- Some passages of Scripture might be taken
out of context and put forth to teach such a thing (1 Tim. 4:10), and what a
comforting doctrine this would be -- if only it were true. But the reader knows
that the same Bible which teaches salvation from sin also teaches eternal
condemnation for those who are lost. Without question, Jesus taught about the
narrow way which leads to life and the broad way which leads to destruction
(Matt. 7:13,14). This gospel of "everybody is going to be saved" is not a true
gospel. The last day, the day of judgment, is proof that not all will be going
home to be with Jesus; the majority will be assigned to eternal hell.
All The Good And Sincere People Will Be
Saved: -- Well, we all appreciate good and sincere people, but we're
talking about sin here. Goodand sincere people also get sick and die. Being good
and sincere is not a remedy for sickness or for sin.
Cornelius is a case in point whose prayers
went up as a memorial before God. He was devout, and did good deeds; a man who
was good and sincere and prayed to God every day. If ever there was a good and
sincere man, Cornelius was the epitome of such (Acts 10:1,2).
However, Cornelius was lost without the true gospel preached by Peter. In
fact, he was told to sent to Joppa and fetch Peter who would tell him "words,
whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved" (Acts 11:14).
Those who wonder at God's punishment of good and sincere people have not
taken into account the seriousness of God's disdain for sin and the cost of its
remedy (Rom. 5:8-11)
Everyone
Who Believes Will Be Saved:
-- Here is an easy and comforting doctrine, but one which is untrue. There are
passages which show the need for believing, and, of course, one must believe
before he would obey any other of the commandments of the gospel.
The little epistle of James deals with this issue. He says that the
devils believe and tremble, but surely they will not be saved by simply
believing! "Faith without works is dead" (Jas. 2:19,20). He says that
those who hear the Word but do not keep it will be lost (Jas. 1:22-25). He
further states that those who know to do good and do not do it are sinning (Jas.
4:17). So, the gospel of "believe only" is easy and comforting but it is a false
gospel.
Those
Who Say "The Sinners Prayer" Will Be Saved:
-- There are many sincere and good people who preach this gospel, but there is
no instance of any sinner being saved by this method in the gospel records of
the Bible. They make dedicated efforts to teach people, urge them to believe,
and compel them to say the prayer which confesses Christ, as their personal
Savior, confesses their sins, and asks Christ to come into their lives. But
look, my friend, in the Bible to see if you can find such a conversion process
and you will not find it.
Now, here's what we've said: 1) Not everyone is going to be saved; 2) The
gospel requires more than simply being good and sincere; 3) Simply believing is
not enough to satisfy the true gospel; 4) and saying the Sinner's Prayer isn't
really taught by the gospel of Christ.
So, what does the true gospel require of sinners that they might be saved
from their sins? One other thing which the gospel makes clear is baptism.
"...Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). And again, "And now why tarriest
thou Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord" (Acts 22:16). One more time: "The like figure whereunto even
baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21).
And folks, repentance is a big component of the gospel message as well.
It means to stop serving sin and to start serving God (Lk. 24:47; Acts 17:30;
2:38). Baptism does no good for folks who don't first believe, who don't
confess, or who don't repent and remain faithful after baptism. And all of these
requirements are demanding and ongoing.
Becoming a Christian and living the Christian life are not easy, but the
alternatives of eternal condemnation and alienation from God move us to rally at
the good news of eternal salvation -- and the gospel plan for getting us there
by God's grace. Jesus bore His cross for us, and there is a cross for each of
His disciples (Mk. 8:34). Good news? Yes! If it was good enough for Jesus, then
the cross is good enough for us, too.
One last note: for those who don't believe in God, there really isn't any
gospel or good news at all. Good news that there is no God to face in the
judgment? Hardly. Life here is quite short, you know. If you're looking for
evidence, simply look around at the world, the stars, and through a microscope.
If you're looking for the revelation or personal message from God, Jesus Christ
will answer all your questions (2 Pet. 1:3). His gospel is not a gospel of easy
salvation, but it is the true gospel.
---George Hutto