What Is The True Gospel?

So many different things are preached in so many different pulpits. Have you ever wondered what you would answer to the question, "What is the true Gospel?" I did some thinking on this and thought I would write about it. One of the main things we hear in many pulpits today is the "prosperity" message. So much talk about "give and God will make you rich". I have yet to find that scripture in my Bible. God does promise to supply all of our NEEDS. He does promise that whatsoever a man sows he will also reap. ??? Why is this used so much in regards to money, but not in regards to all of the other junk we sow, with our sin, our bad attitudes and our unrighteous living. The beginning of that scripture says that GOD IS NOT MOCKED.
I believe many are being deceived by being taught a false Gospel that just says "believe" and you will be saved. Nothing more than purchasing a hell insurance policy, by saying you believe. What about the scripture that says even the demons believe and they tremble?

" You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? " James 2:19-20

All too often the part about Holiness and living a Holy life is left out.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. " 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

" For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, " Titus 2:11-13

" What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Romans 6:1-2

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." Romans 6:12-13

Too many Pastor's in too many pulpits will not mention sin in an effort to avoid offending anyone. One pastor, of one of America's largest churches, openly admits that he will not discuss sin in his pulpit. He wants people to leave feeling "uplifted". What about the fact that they are "uplifted" and on their way to hell if someone does not tell them the truth?

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" Galatians 5:19-23

Jesus said, "By their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:16 NIV) Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit." (Matthew 7:15-16 NLT) Though the Lord was referring to false prophets here, the principle is the same for others who would attempt to mislead God's people. Jesus goes on to say: "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to Me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21 NLT)
In society today there is very little distinction between most people who call themselves Christian and the world. The divorce rate in the Church is just as high as outside the church. "Christian" teens are having premarital sex. What happened to being different? We have let the lie of "tolerance" enter our minds and churches.

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:15-20

The part about standing at the door and knocking is often used as an evangelical verse. This verse was directed at the Church and not at unbelievers. Jesus is not pleased with a lukewarm church. He wants a Church on fire for Him. A Church that has made Him their first love. Yes, we are saved by grace, but God demands holiness from His people. To preach Salvation without repentance and God's desire for us to be Holy and set apart is not preaching the whole message.

"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them" Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:16-23

Do you really KNOW Him?


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