C S Lewis said, "I have some definite views about the de-Chrisitianizing of the church. I believe that there are many accomodating preachers, and too many practitioners in the church who are not believers. Jesus Christ did not say, 'Go into to all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.' The Gospel is something completely different. In fact, it is directly opposed to the world."
In order for the good news of Jesus Christ on the cross to be good news, the gospel message must first confront each of us as condemned sinners in need of God's grace and forgiveness. Only when we see ourselves as sinners is the sacrifice of Jesus good news.
Jesus is gospel - good news because God did in Jesus what no one could ever do for themselves.
This means - in a very practical sense - that the church must be opposed to the world in order that it may be for the world.
The church must oppose the ways of the world - and its self-help, I can do it my way philosophy - and proclaim our absolute inability to do anything to earn our way into a right relationship with God.
The good news is that God acted. God sent His Son to die in our stead. Period.
Take it or leave it. That's the gospel. The gospel is all about what God has already done. And all that we ever do is in response to a God who has already finished everything that is required for salvation.
James <><
Check out what God is doing @
www.trinitypresbyterian.us
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