The Gospel of Christ
A recent post on Facebook made this observation, “Our opinions and attitudes as believers must have the Gospel of Jesus at the heart of every conversation. Our witness in this day is so important!” This sentiment is spot on!
In light of the competing narratives being promulgated today, the believer must exhibit the love of Christ genuinely, and avoid actions and attitudes that are self-serving or from a spirit of pride. In addition, one must be cautious to allow the Holy Spirit to control "the tongue" which so easily "boasts great things." (James 3:5b, ESV) Avoiding inflammatory and prideful assertions or boastings will lessen the likelihood of misunderstanding, and will demonstrate one's love for both God and neighbor.
Equally important is the ability to rightly divide truth from error. When the Gospel of Christ is the center of focus, one can be assured that the Holy Spirit will provide both the courage and words that will bring glory to God. Always keep in mind that “. . . we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
The Knowledge of Christ
Two sections of Scripture provide clarity about the expectations to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Both come from the mouth of Jesus himself. These warnings should give one pause when considering his or her relationship with the Savior.
The Foundation
The first passage for meditation is found in Matthew 7:21-23:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)
A. T. Robertson writes, “Success, as the world counts it, is not a criterion of one's knowledge of Christ and relation to him.” Many voices are clamoring for attention; some advocating on behalf of Christlikeness. One cannot make a decision based on success, popularity, or fear. Luke adds clarity by documenting a clear means of discerning such voices:
“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49, ESV)
The person who builds the house on ground without a foundation is one who may have an experimental knowledge with Jesus. One with experiential knowledge establishes a foundation on which a life of obedience is built. To the one who hears but does not do, Jesus asserts, "I was never acquainted with you.” Only the person who digs deep, lays a firm foundation on Jesus' words, and obeys them, will not be shaken by the onslaught of spiritual battles.
The Deception
A second passage that demands review is found in Matthew 24.
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:23-24, ESV)
One is wise to discern results, and be wary of the sleight of hand of the charlatan. Gratefully, Luke implies that the obedient follower of Christ will not be led astray. The persuasiveness of the false prophet, however, is powerful, and extremely convincing. Rather than assuming a pronouncement valid because it resonates with a religious, social, or political narrative, the veracity must meet Christ's obedience test. Obedience must harmonize with the Word of God. Therefore, Scripture must provide the foundational truth for one's discernment.
Two Options
Recent events have provided an opportunity for such a test to discern the truth. In Galatians 5, Paul draws a clear distinction between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. A breakdown of the two is provided below.
Galatians 5:19-21, ESV -The Works of the Flesh
“Now the works of the flesh are evident:
- Sensual - sexual immorality (harlotry), impurity (I.e., moral), sensuality (sexual activity of various kinds, often ascribed to paganism),
- Idolatrous - idolatry (ungodly worship), sorcery (specifically related to illicit drug use, often utilized by sorcerers related to the magical arts)
- Personal - enmity (personal animosities), strife (rivalries, discord), jealousy, fits of anger (heightened emotions leading to explosiveness), rivalries (a “party” spirit), dissensions (also “party” spirit), divisions (splits in two), envy (feelings of ill-will),
- Intemperance - drunkenness (drunken excesses), orgies (drinking parties), and things like these (the outcroppings of such activities).
I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:22-24, ESV - The Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
- love (self-sacrificing, others oriented),
- joy (evident in the midst of tribulations,1 Thess. 1:6; a product of regeneration),
- peace (a consequence of the peace of Chrst made through the shedding of His blood; tranquility, quietness as a result of one's grafting into His Body),
- patience (enduring of present evils with joyfulness),
- kindness,
- goodness (acts of goodness in one's setting, whether civil, moral, or spiritual; a natural outgrowth of Gospel regeneration),
- faithfulness (devotion, unswerving in commitment),
- gentleness (not hasty in judgement, open to be entreated),
- self-control (sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit);
against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
A Time for Choosing
Jesus clearly states that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). The prophet Amos asks, “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” (Amos 3:3, ESV). Can the follower of Christ avoid discerning that which adheres to the whole counsel of God? Should one sacrifice sound doctrine, which the Bible clearly addresses, to appease an agenda that is plainly errant?
In the final analysis, what is critical is that the testimony of Christ be unblemished. Paul urged the Galatians, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, ESV). It could equally be rendered, you will never, no never, gratify the desires of the flesh. Such is the power of the Holy Spirit.
Every choice results in a consequence. Standing firmly may result in persecution or ostracism. Peter reminds us that it is “. . . a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” He goes on to say, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:18-21, 23, ESV)
Chose wisely, and hold fast the faithful word that has been taught, and by sound doctrine exhort and convince those who contradict it (Titus 1:9, ESV).
