IF NOT YOU, WHO?

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 subtilty, 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 11:2-4

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 12-15

The apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote of his concern for the church regarding the coming of false doctrine and false teachers into the church. In fact, almost every book in the New Testament gives the same warning.

The best counterfeit item or document is one that is so close to the original that it takes a highly trained eye to notice the difference. When it comes to the gospel, do WE know the difference? CAN we know the difference? Satan is a master counterfeiter, and he is becoming more skilled at his trade as the ages roll on. Only those who are willing to diligently study the original will be able to tell the difference, and the differences are becoming more subtle all the time. One of Satan's tactics is to combine error with truth. 99% truth+ 1% error = error... if a student gets just one part of a mathematical equation wrong, his final answer will be wrong.

Scripture tells us that in the last days there will be rampant apostasy, a great falling away from the true faith as recorded in the Word. So which gospel is the gospel according to the Scriptures?

• Not the social gospel ~ It preaches a political saviour with a cure for our social ills. Jesus didn't die to fix or create new social programs.
  

• Not the ecumenical gospel ~ It puts aside doctrinal differences to create a false unity. Jesus didn't die so we could all get together and make the world a better, more peaceful place to live. In 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Paul exhorts Timothy saying, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
  

• Not the "by his stripes you are healed" gospel ~ It promises to cure whatever ails you. Jesus didn't die so you could feel better.
  

• Not the self-esteem (psychological) gospel ~ It preaches, "come to Jesus because you are worthy". Jesus didn't die because you are a wonderful person. He came because His own nature required it.
  

• Not the prosperity gospel ~ It promises that you will get rich materially. Jesus didn't die so you could have lots of money in your wallet or a nicer car.
  

• Not the cultural gospel ~ It teaches that if you will just live the Christian lifestyle God will accept you. Jesus didn't die so you could wear a t-shirt with His name on it and listen to gospel music.
  

• Not the postmodern/emergent gospel ~ It teaches that Jesus is whoever you want Him to be. It says: "Let's reinvent Jesus for a postmodern world so they will accept Him." It changes the meaning of the cross. Jesus didn't die so that we could believe whatever we want.
  

• Not the contemplative/experiential/mystical gospel ~ It tells you that you can find God by practicing spiritual disciplines and "knowing by experience" who God is. It is a sensual gospel which eventually convinces people that we can know God apart from Christ and His work on the cross. It is a gospel that puts God's Word on the shelf. Jesus did not die so that you could feel, taste, and smell God.
  

These gospels all have the wrong motive, the wrong direction, or the wrong emphasis, or use worldly methods. They don't address the problem inherent in mankind, our sinful nature. And where does this finally lead us? If we no longer believe we are sinners in the need of redemption, we don't need the cross. A cross-less faith leads to a spirituality that anyone can accept. It makes Christ into another good teacher or prophet. It will finally lead to a worldwide spiritual unity in rebellion to God, a strong delusion, and finally the Anti-Christ proclaiming himself to be God.

Why DID Jesus come to earth? Jesus came to earth to DIE. He didn't come to earth so we could have warm, fuzzy feelings during a holiday in December. HE CAME TO DIE. He died because we are LOST in sin and in need of salvation, redemption and reconciliation.

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
Luke 9:56a

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.
I Peter 3:18

Who will preach the true gospel? Who is left these days to preach the pure, unadulterated and simple message of the gospel? The majority of those who call themselves Christians in this world are too confused by the man-made, man-driven gospels to give a clear gospel presentation. Others have allowed themselves to become too busy, don't really know what they believe, or fear man rather than God. This has created a situation in which there is hardly anyone left to preach the simple gospel according to the Scriptures.

The world is very busy trying to solve the world's problems. But what they don't realize is that it cannot be done, and will not be done until Christ returns to this earth in power and glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The world doesn't need more Christians to fix the planet; it needs more Christians who will preach the gospel to those who are lost and facing an eternity apart from God. Who will tell them?

If not you, WHO?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God...But we preach Christ crucified...
I Corinthians 1:18 and 23

If this post has spoken to you today, please let this be your response:

REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ART FALLEN, AND REPENT, AND DO THE FIRST WORKS; OR ELSE I WILL COME TO THEE QUICKLY, AND I WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK OUT OF HIS PLACE. Revelation 2:5

REMEMBER THEREFORE HOW THOU HAST RECEIVED AND HEARD, AND HOLD FAST, AND REPENT. IF THEREFORE THOU SHALT NOT WATCH, I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF, AND THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE. Revelation 3:3