PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies);
ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
DANGEROUS GOSPEL
Main
Text:
“And he said to them, go into the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”, (Mark 16:15-16).
INTRODUCTION:
The bible text for this piece is a
straight-talk which shows that the main objective of the gospel of Jesus Christ
is to save people from sins and trespasses. Every other blessing that it
promises stands secondary, and remains meaningless where one is not saved,
(Mark 8:36). To this end, it becomes vital to cite as unfounded the attitude of
some preachers who present earthly valuables as if they are the sole aim of the
gospel. So, discern that:
DANGEROUS
GOSPEL PRESENTS MARITAL BLESSING AT THE EXPENSE OF SOUL SALVATION
The
fact that the main drive of the gospel is to save cannot be over-emphasized.
Pointedly, the verse 16 of the gospel of Mark chapter 16 holds out this truth.
“He that believes… shall be saved. So, any gospel without the fundamental aim
of soul-salvation is a dangerous one. The encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeous in
Luke 19 verse 10 necessitated another voicing of the target which the gospel
aims at, as He expresses that, “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save
that which was lost.
It
might interest the reader to note that Zacchaeus was a government official, the
chief tax collector in the administration of his time, yet a robber. He was not
an armed robber, but a civil robber. He did not rob with firearm, but with pen
and ink. Zacchaeus symbolized the notoriety of some government officials of
today who falsify documents in their bid to loot government treasury. Such
officials vehemently stand out in condemnation of armed robbers, with little or
no knowledge of the fact that civil robbery is tantamount to armed robbery in
the sight of God. This brings to bear that government officials need to be;
(i)
exposes
to the fact of repentance and salvation, instead of longing to get a share of
their ill-gotten wealth, (Luke 19-1-9);
(ii)
told
that God has no pleasure in ill-gotten wealth, instead of deceiving them with
titles and other vainglorious paraphernalia, (Mark 8:36-37);
(iii)
informed
that their stewardship will one day be accounted for in the sight of God,
instead of giving them the wrong impression that their position is a mark of
God’s acceptance, (Romans 14:12), etc.
DANGEROUS
GOSPEL PRESENTS CHRIST WITHOUT THE CROSS
The
rate at which most preachers present Christ, with little or no consideration of
the significance of the cross calls for question, as touching the
inseparability of Christ and His cross. The term “cross” is derived from the
Latin word “crux”. The Greek equivalent is “stouros” which means a stake. It
represents an upright wooden stake or post on which Jesus was crucified.
The
expression, “take-up your cross and follow me”, (Luke 14:27) pictures the kind
of commitment that Jesus expects from His followers, a commitment that makes
one willing to suffer anything, including torture, ridicule, shame and death
for His sake. Also, because of the extreme sacrifice involved in Christ’s
willingness to die on the cross, the cross depicts the type of love that the
Christians are called upon to have for their Christian brothers and sisters.
Regrettably, many churches today present the gospel in such a manner that play
down the true meaning of the cross, whereby producing disciples of bread,
instead of those for eternal life, (John 6). This type of gospel does not
promote love for Christ and fellow citizens, but leads one into misjudging
God’s favour and love, since adherents often think that those who have material
blessings are God’s favourites. However, Jesus talks of suffering and joy, life
and death, imprisonment and release, shame and glory as the blend of what
Christians are likely to experience on earth. This strengthens the saying that
one who serves God only when the going is fine is not a true disciple of Jesus
Christ. By this, it becomes proper to underscore the fact that the same gospel
which urges us to go to God for blessing, equally tells us to:
(i)
Overcome trials when they come, (Romans 12:21)
(ii)
Give
Him thanks for the good and bad of our lives, (1 Thess. 5:18)
(iii)
Relentlessly
exercise faith in Him, in spite of all odds, (Mark 11:22), etc.
DANGEROUS GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS FOR MEMBERSHIP WITHOUT MORALITY
The
morality of the gospel is the yardstick for understanding a true Christian. It showcases
the life and character of Jesus in the life of an adherent of the Christian
faith. Thus, the Bible remarks that by their fruits, we shall know them, (Matt.
7:16). The crucial point here is that most professing Christians are negative
to what they profess. This informs the reason for the looting of government
treasury by the “so called” Christian government officials without qualms. It
equally brings to the fore why many practicing pastors/priests embezzle church
funds with no trace of remorse. What a strange development in Christendom?
It
is disheartening to note that from radio, television, print and the physical
pulpits of the church come messages that present the healing power of Christ,
the material blessings He offers, as well as His promises to protect His
people, with little or no emphasis on His principles of holiness and
righteousness. Is this not the reason for the explosion of social vices which
attack to submerge the society into the mud of unrest? Is anybody in doubt that
the church has compromised its commission to teach sound doctrines? If not, why
do pastors, priests, reverend fathers and even bishops take offerings from
people of questionable character in exchange of religious titles and the like?
Until the church resumes the preaching of the gospel of;
(i)
Holiness,
the society remains unholy, (Hebrews 12:14);
(ii)
Love
for God, the people remain in the love of the world; (I John 2:15-17);
(iii)
Truth,
the society continues to breed liars (John, 8:44), etc.
In
conclusion,
the topic under-review is one of the writer’s efforts which seeks to harp on
diversionary preachings that lure the church to the broad road that leads to
destruction, instead of the narrow and straight gate which leads to eternal
life, (Matt. 7:13-14). Without mincing words, any gospel that promotes earthly
values and valuables in neglect of the principles of God’s holiness and righteousness
is a dangerous gospel. AVOID IT.
No comments:
Post a Comment