When does truth stop being Truth?

In middle school we arrived at the study of “engines”, I knew absolutely nothing about engines. Some “friends” asked me to hold a wire, which I did, and then one of them pulled the rope! When you do not have all the information…learning the complete truth can be a “shocking” experience!

Fortunately, that was just a “middle” school prank, no permanent damage occurred…though I never forgot the lesson concerning engines and spark plug wires! 

I have felt compelled to write this due to a teaching that seems to be gaining ground in the Church. 

The subject is “The Gospel” and delivering the whole Truth to an individual. Which I say AMEN to! God is very serious about this and even warns about adding to or taking away from any of His Truth. (Rev 22:18-19)  

I agree with all of the teaching but am astounded by what is left out! The premise is this: The “real” gospel is not about “you” it is only about God. The person hearing the gospel needs to know they are a sinner; sin separates them from God and repentance is difficult and painful. If they are willing to pay the price of repentance, then they will be given eternal life. 

I agree with the essence of this, yet definition is needed, and there is something left out. I agree that far too much of our focus in the Church today is about “me, myself, and I”, however, changing the Truth to make that point is wrong, and evil! It makes God an egotistical player, where He does everything only for Himself, with no one else in mind. 

Yes, God states He does everything His way and by His desire, but that speaks to His perfection, not His purpose. As an unbeliever, I had to confront my sin, see how it broke my relationship with my Creator, and how scary repentance seemed. Fortunately, for me, the gospel started with the “Why!” Why would God even care? Why do I even matter to Him? If it is only all about Him, then why waste any time on me?

I will not waste time quoting the “famous” name that stands where I want to stand…they’re a dime a dozen and the bookstores are full of them. I will quote the source: 

John 3:14-17 (Jesus Speaking) “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His conly begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

 

Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus, a man He called “the teacher”. In His presentation of the gospel: Just as God offered grace through a bronze serpent in the wilderness, He will now offer it complete in His Son…but Why? “For God so loved” YOU! Teachers out there that do not see a “You” in the gospel need to go to an Eye doctor! God’s motive for what He did revolves around a “You”! 

Stop making God look like the petty false gods that have to feed their ego! God is not needy! Yes, everything He does brings Him glory! But not because He needs it, it is the natural outcome. A Perfect Person does everything Perfectly! How many times in Scripture does God express His emotions and the role they play in His actions. He delights, He grieves, He weeps, He is overjoyed, He is creative…etc. forever. The Person called God can and never will be comprehended by His creation, yet He, because of His love, became one of us so at least we have a bridge! (Heb 4:15)

I will pick up with “Repentance and the cost” next Devo

Challenge: Do you understand that to live forever with God you must be perfect? What’s your plan? Try and accomplish that on your own…or allow Him to make you perfect through the gift of His Son?