What the Gospel Demands

 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”
(Acts 26:19-20)

            When Paul appeared before Festus and King Agrippa, he had already been a prisoner in Caesarea for two years. He could have used his opportunity to plead for the justice Felix, the previous governor, had denied him. But instead Paul used the occasion to describe his own conversion and to appeal to his audience to obey God.

            When Paul saw the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, the direction of his life changed forever. He had always acted sincerely, but his service was ignorant of the truth and therefore contrary to God’s will. Once he learned that Jesus was indeed raised and is in fact God’s Son, Paul devoted his life to preaching the good news he formerly sought to suppress. Three exhortations characterized his preaching: repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

            Repentance is a change of mind. It begins when one realizes, with true remorse, that his course in life is wrong and is offensive to God (2Co. 7:9-11). Without repentance there can be no salvation (Lk. 13:3). God is not only interested in saving us; He is interested in changing us. That change begins in one’s heart with the determination to turn away from things that are evil.

            Repentance alone, however, is insufficient to save us. One must not only resolve to no longer do what is wrong, he must also pursue the things that are right. An atheist may repent of his unbelief and become a Muslim, but his repentance will not save his soul (Jn. 14:6). A drunkard may repent of his addiction to alcohol and become a chain smoker, but his life is still governed by the lusts of the flesh (Ga. 5:17). A sinner must turn away from his sin, but he must also turn toward God. If repentance is a change of mind, then turning to God is the change of focus that accompanies it.

Ultimately repentance and godliness will not accomplish anything unless they are followed by the fruit of conversion. How can one truly know that he/she has repented? A humble, honest examination of one’s life will reveal the truth. Repentance is a change of heart, but true repentance is always coupled with a change of life. Behavioral change is the necessary product of real repentance and God-toward devotion. The fruit of our lives tells the true quality of our heart (Mt. 12:34-35). We may flatter ourselves on having good intentions. Paul was sincere his entire life, even when he was persecuting Christians (Ac. 23:1). But sincerity alone cannot save. God is looking for evidence of conversion: obedience to His will (Mt. 7:21-23).

            What does the gospel demand of us? Not simply belief and heartfelt feelings for Jesus. Not just religious activity and a busy sort of piety that impresses men. Not only moral conduct that is free of the major faults and stains of the world. The gospel demands that we turn away from sin, that we turn toward God, and that we demonstrate by our lives that we have done so. What the gospel demands is nothing less than a complete reversal of priorities, purpose, and practice and a wholehearted dedication of ourselves – mind, body, and soul – to the will of God. That is the gospel Paul preached. Is it the gospel you have believed and obeyed? -JME

Editorial: Looking at Divine Commands

There are “commands” of God (the 10 commandments in the O.T., various instructions and demands in both testaments, etc.).  What we look at, and how we deal with them, depends upon how we view them and, more importantly, how we view the God who gave them.   

Men look at God’s commands in various ways.  To some, they are “optional advice”, to be considered and then to be modified to conform to OUR sense of right and wrong.  To others, they are “commands”, but can be altered by immediate circumstances.  To still others, they do come from a Divine being, but He is so permissive and “understanding” that He really does not “mean” to be strict – they must be “obeyed” in moderation.  (With such people, one must not be “too radical, or "extreme” with his faith, and so these commands need not be too strictly applied).

It should be obvious that the above approaches place a heavy emphasis upon human input and modification.  But, is this the proper way to view them?  How does the Bible teach us to deal with divine commands?

a) With respect!  – 1 Th 2:13 – “as it is in truth the word of God, and not the word of man”.  God is both able and willing to provide the only reliable direction for our lives.  Because He IS God, Almighty and All Powerful, He deserves our humble submission to His will.

b) As understandable, “doable” – He made His will clear, writing to us in simple language the things we so desperately need to know about how to live AND die...It is not ours to debate or question, we must both understand and comply with these commands.  

c) As an act of GRACE!  As Paul told Titus, God’s grace TEACHES us (Titus 2:11, 12)

He could well have ignored us, or discarded us – instead, He carefully commands us to act in ways for our good.

d) As a BLESSING, not a burden! Every command we obey will make us better, and keep us from dangerous actions or thoughts.  Thank God we can know the danger, and escape it.  What a blessing!

e) As HUMBLING– a reminder of our own helplessness.  We NEED God’s direction for the life that has meaning.  His commands remind us that we are but children before Him.

f) As our ONLY OPTION – For the one who would please God, benefit from living, and have eternal life in heaven, there is no alternative!   We must only obey, we must EXACTLY obey, without deviation from the word.  How do YOU see God’s commands?   --The Editors

Super Bowl Sunday

            “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

            Have you made your plans for this year’s big game? All over the world people will get ready to watch the two top teams in the NFL square off in the biggest pro football game of the year. It promises to be a good one, a game no football fan would want to miss. Consequently, each year our typical Sunday schedules are rearranged to permit us the opportunity to watch the big game.

            Across the country, many churches will have cancelled their Sunday evening services. Other churches, seeking to capitalize on the opportunity, will have arranged Super Bowl gatherings in their church facilities. Many people who are usually devoted church-goers will skip any church services that might conflict with the game. After all, we go to church every week, but this is the Super Bowl! Surely God will understand.

            There isn’t anything wrong with watching the Super Bowl. The question is what does the rearrangement of our day say about our priorities? If I believe worship is important but choose the Super Bowl over a conflicting church assembly, what am I saying about what is important to me? Am I truly living as one who has been “crucified with Christ?” Would Jesus be pleased to know that I chose a football game over praising and honoring Him? I have wondered what it would be like if Jesus returned on the afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday. Where would He find many of His “devoted” followers?

            While there will be many religious people who choose to abandon their usual worship practices for the sake of watching the entire Super Bowl, there will be many others who faithfully worship their God and encourage their brethren in the congregation and then return home to enjoy the remainder of the football game. It’s great when spiritual responsibilities don’t conflict with the things we want to do. But when such conflicts do arise, it is the way we respond to them that says so much about our faith. –JME

Back to Newsletter Archive                           Home