WHEN AN APOSTLE IS CONCERNED Spurious gospels abound in our land. Each of them can appropriately be called "another gospel . . . which is NOT another" (Gal 1:6-7). What is more, in order to embrace these gospels, one must "remove" himself from the real Jesus. Thus Paul wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL" (Gal 1:6). One of the sure marks of a false gospel is the absence or minimization of "the grace of Christ." -- Tomorrow:
"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:1-4
SPURIOUS GOSPELS
Perhaps it will be profitable to identify a few of these false gospels. None of them emphasize the Kingdom of God, God, Jesus, or the grace of God.
1. THE HEALTH AND WEALTH GOSPEL. This gospel announces that you do not have to be poor or sick. The claim is made that Jesus has delivered us from both poverty and sickness even though He was poor (Matt 8:20), and one of his chief apostles had a chronic infirmity (2 Cor 11:30).
2. THE GOSPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. This gospel emphasizes the Holy Spirit, which is received by a routine. The receiving of the Holy Spirit is said to be separate from salvation. In this gospel, Christ Jesus is not the point, but the Holy Spirit.
3. THE PROBLEM RESOLUTION GOSPEL. This gospel boldly announces that Jesus is the answer to all of our problems. He is said to have an earnest desire to become involved in every facet of one's life. Instead of urging men to cast their care upon the Lord, this gospel announces there really is no need for care at all. Jesus will solve the problem. That is what He really wants to do.
4. THE HAPPY MARRIAGE GOSPEL. This gospel ignores the presence of single people, widows, and orphans, and boldly announces the family to be the primary unit of humanity. Jesus is represented as wanting every home to be happy, and to be energetically working to that end even though He said He would divide some homes (Matt 10:34-36).
5. THE GOSPEL OF THE CHURCH. This gospel focuses on the church. The aim of it is to enable the individual to identify the one true church. There is no need of transformation or personal conformity to the image of Christ. The main thing is to be part of the right church, which has the right name, and does all of the right things.
6. THE GOD AND COUNTRY GOSPEL. This gospel presents "another Jesus" whose aim is to produce godly nations. The pinnacle of achievement is when the government and the church are brought together.
7. THE YOUTH GOSPEL. The gospel announces the youth are the church of tomorrow, conveniently ignoring the church of today. There is little need for Jesus in this gospel. The main thing is to make the youth feel at home, and to recognize their seeming potential.
8. THE POSITIVE THOUGHT GOSPEL. This is a gospel that accents the making of noble resolutions. It teaches men that if they will just think about noble things, they will eventually come to pass. In this gospel, the ability of man is overstated.
9. THE GOSPEL OF WORSHIP. This gospel announces that what God really wants from man is worship. By "worship," they mean singing – particularly choruses. "Man was made," they say, "to worship God" – even though God said man was made to "have dominion" (Gen 1:26-27). In this gospel, "worship" has nothing whatsoever to do with "holiness" (Psa 29:2) or "truth" (John 4:23-24).
10. THE GOD LOVES EVERYONE GOSPEL. This gospel boldly announces that God loves everyone – even though God has affirmed there are people that He hates (Psa 11:5; Prov 6:16-19). This gospel declares that God is really not offended with man's foolish ways, but can handle their anger, even when it is directed toward Him. No matter what a person does, this gospel says God still loves them. It also affirms that God's love is unconditional – even though Divine love is associated with conditions (John 14:23; John 16:27).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Gospel that focuses on You and Your Son, and prepares men for participation in the world to come.