Coffee With The Lord

THE POWER AND PURITY OF “THE GOSPEL” – life-transforming – but sadly rejected by some – polluted and compromised by others!

It’s scope? All the way from the eternal counsels of Jehovah God, to a virgin birth, a sinless life, crucifixion on a cross (not for any sin of His own, but for our sin), resurrection, and ultimately ascension back to the Heavenly Father’s “right hand” as our “Intercessor/Advocate!” One writer defines it as “The glad news which tells about Jesus Christ!” (R. H. Mounce).

Here’s what Apostle Paul declared: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!” (Romans 1:16) Paul had experienced its power in his own life personally and had observed its life-transforming power in the lives of others!

Apostle Paul felt strongly about the purity of “the Gospel!” I read his words of warning to some Christians in ancient Galatia during my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“I am astonished that you … are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, , but there are some who…want to distort the gospel of Christ! But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, let them be accursed!” … I say again; If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed!” (From Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)

Take it from me… I NEVER want to be guilty of polluting, diluting, compromising, or corrupting “the Gospel!! I want the ethics of Apostle Paul to guide me! … “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God… For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!” (From 2 Corinthians 4:1-6)