The unadulterated gospel

2 Corinthians 4:1-8

Paul states in more than one place that he is preaching the pure unadulterated gospel. He is contrasting his message with that of others who were willing to alter it, if only a little, in order to gain something for themselves.

It could be simply more approval of men. Or it could be to gain money or power. In any case Paul got very upset when he felt that other evangelists were changing the message to make it easier for seekers to accept.

I think the temptation to change our message to make it more acceptable is strong. We can even rationalize doing it as a good thing. As we relate to the culture we are tempted to deemphasize things and emphasize others.

For example sin and repentance. We emphasize accepting Jesus and forget to mention asking God for the forgiveness of our sins. Or we imply that all life will be worry free from the point that we accept Jesus. That has not been my experience, how about you?

People need to know the whole truth. They will not thank you later if they accept Jesus by you ministry and later discover you did explain sin or discipleship.

I am further reminded that God is the one who inspires the one who receives. We do well to tell the gospel truthfully. This will make it easier for the seeker to accept it, not harder, in my opinion. We use our reason, but our reason is flawed. So as I tell people the Good News, God, who wants them to accept Jesus much more than I do will touch their hearts and minds, confirming the truth to them. I do not know all that is going on in them, all the foundation that God has already built up in them.

I am also concerned that though I think I know the gospel purely and am fairly bold to tell it completely I will be wrong. My understanding or the life I lead will distort the gospel message. Those we know who might be seeking certainly at us to be a model of how a Christian should live. Our worldview is mostly picked up by those around us by how we act. I may be able to speak it correctly but do my actions conflict with what I speak?

Nevertheless I pray that God give me boldness and make up in me deficiencies in my life to be a conduit for people coming to know Jesus. The world needs the Savior, Jesus.

BTW: Saturday I will be grilling. If you want to get in on it we can spare some, come on by. Bring some more meat if you want to do you own grilling and take some home. We always have hot coals left at the end that go to waste. I always hate that. If need be we can always add some more.