WHAT IS THE GOSPEL

By Rick Mathes

John 3:7 (NASB77) ⁷ “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Too many people decide on their religion and place of worship like they choose a fast-food hamburger! One has lettuce and another has lettuce and a juicy pickle. This other one doesn’t have the lettuce but it has the pickle and an onion but no ketchup, and so forth. Of in other words, denominations are becoming increasingly blurry and fuzzy as churches disguise their doctrinal beliefs until it is too confusing to sort out. I call these deceitful franchises Kentucky Fried Christianity! They put a cross on the roof and open an entertainment center that lulls you to pull out your wallet and come back for some more. The laughing stock, Saturday Night Live of Hades! Demons watching other demons in the pulpits pulling in the net of those that think they are saved and aren’t. Will you pray a rosary with me? How about falling out in emotion or doing a phony altar call to impress your family and friends? Don’t get me started? Put on your seat belt!

Let’s take together a long hard look at the real deal, ready?

At the top of the list is that we were chosen to be His personally by Jesus Himself. He spoke your name from the cross and said, “This one’s for you!” His blood was the price He paid to redeem your rotten hide from the flaming clutches of the Devil and that means you are totally owned by Him.

Listen carefully to what I am about to say: When you submit to the slave-ship of Jesus, are you paying attention, “The rest of your life is none of your business.” Jesus is going to do with you what He wants, why He wants, when He wants, if He feels like it. You become completely subject to His will, whim and control. It is His way from now on, not your way. You can wiggle and squirm like a worm on a hook but buddy, you are hooked forever! There isn’t a thing you can do without total dependence on Him.

You will in His  time be called before Him to give an account of your rebellion so listen carefully to what I have feebly tried to communicate to you or you may wind up in Hell and never know what (or who) it you.

Let’s move on to an examination on this issue.

What should you do right this minute?

You must deny you’re self-hood completely. Literally give it all to Him: your family, job, friends, ambitions, etc. All need to be set aside and His purposes in your life made number one without there ever being a number 2, 3, or 4 following. All Him and not you, got it?

Think about this: Islamic terrorists willingly die for what they believe and most professing Christians won’t even live for what they say they believe. What happened to your commitment to Christ? I can answer my own question. You let the world seep in until you squeezed the blood of Christ out. That’s what is called carnal (worldly) Christian which is an oxymoron in itself. What commonality do  Jesus and Satan have; no more than light and darkness. None!

There shouldn’t be two words “believe” and “obey.” It should be one word: believeobey because if you believe, you obey. Duhh!