The Offensive Gospel‏

Hello Friends!

Have some of your friends and acquaintances become your enemy because you told them the truth?  This is a common experience for those who faithfully share the Gospel of God with victims of deception. Consider the following thoughts and be encouraged in your quest for truth and righteousness - regardless of the opposition you will inevitably face… 

The Offensive Gospel

We need to recognize that the Biblical Gospel is offensive to those who are offensive to God. This is because before anyone can see the Gospel as "good news" they must first see themselves as guilty sinners under the condemnation of a Holy God. Others may be offended because they have embraced a works righteousness salvation where they can boast in their religious works. The Gospel of grace strips people of their own righteousness and calls them to trust in an alien righteousness:

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ – Romans 5:17

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes – Romans 10:1-4

The Gospel is also offensive because it declares there is only one way to be saved and that is through the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can be saved until they come to the cross with empty hands of faith, bringing nothing but their sins. Since we know the Gospel will be offensive to unbelievers, we must avoid adding to the offense by the way we present the message. Friendly relationships can be maintained when we share the Gospel with love, compassion, humility and patience.

The apostle Paul asked the members of the church in Galatia who had succumbed to the heresy of the Judaizers:

Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? – Galatians 4:16

The Galatians were offended because the truth exposed the error they had embraced. Paul was concerned that they had been influenced by the false gospel of the Judaizers and had begun to doubt the truth of salvation by grace alone:

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace – Galatians 5:2-4

People, who are on the broad way that seems right to man will be offended when we tell them it leads to eternal separation from God:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death – Proverbs 14:12

Knowing that the Gospel will be offensive to religiously proud people, we must speak the truth in love. In the past I have told friends that I love them so much that I need to share the greatest news they will ever hear. It is indeed the greatest gift one could ever receive. After I am finished sharing the truth of the Gospel message, I let them know that what they do with the Gospel message is between them and God. It is "good news" only if they receive the free gift of God. If they reject the gift, the "good news" will haunt them throughout all eternity in Hell because they refused God's gracious offer of forgiveness and reconciliation to Him.

Some of those who have rejected the gift of the Gospel still remain my friends because they know I approached them in the spirit of love. It is tragic when our loved ones reject the Gospel. However, the Apostle Paul encourages:

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary – Galatians 6:9

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! To Him be all the glory and honor due His name - Amen!

To our unbelieving friends, I urge you to repent now, before it is too late...

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” – Romans 1:16-17

Time is running out. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now before your heart is so hardened, you are unable – or unwilling – to hear His voice. Please take heed to this warning! Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the Father! 


Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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