Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ – Romans 1:16
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (I Corinthians 14:33 KJV). “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40 KJV). God is not the author of confusion; God is the author of order. The Gospel is very clear and of order. Immediately after these verses in I Corinthians 14, the Gospel is presented: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV). The Gospel is believing in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ. Salvation has always been by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, documented in the scriptures alone so God be the Glory alone. Salvation by grace alone through faith alone is Truth. Truth is absolute and not relative –Truth does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8 KJV). Jesus Christ is the God of order and not confusion.
The Gospel has been pre-ordained (pre-determined, predestined, decided) before creation created. The Bible says: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God” (I Peter 1:18-21 KJV).
Humanity likes to focus on works, rituals, sacraments, and traditions of men for salvation; however, this is not scriptural. The resurrection is part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and many people today deny the resurrection. Remember, if there is no resurrection: your faith is in vain, there is no Hope, believing and preaching is a wasted life. Let us read I Corinthians 15:17 and let us be clear what it does not say. “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17 KJV). Notice, it does not say the following: If you confess not your sins, your faith is in vain. If you say not the sinner's prayer, your faith is in vain. If you ask not Jesus into your heart, your faith is in vain. If you surrender not, your faith is in vain. If you sin not, your faith is in vain. If you are sorry not for your sins, your faith is in vain. If you turn not from your sins, your faith is in vain. If you dedicate not your life, your faith is in vain. If you water baptize not, your faith is in vain. If you water baptize not your infant, your faith is in vain. If you join not a religion or sect, your faith is in vain. If you give not money, your faith is in vain. If you make not Jesus Lord of your life, your faith is in vain. If you follow not the 10 Commandments, your faith is in vain. If you do not more good than bad, your faith is in vain. If you believe not in a higher power, your faith is in vain. If you submit not, your faith is in vain. If you get not confirmed, your faith is in vain. If you partake not in communion, your faith is in vain. If you pray not to Mary, your faith is in vain. If you pray not to Allah, Buddha, or any other false gods, your faith is in vain. IT DOES NOT SAY ANY OF THOSE THINGS! It says: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17 KJV). I Corinthians 15:17 emphasizes the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible is very clear the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of salvation: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
If there is no Gospel of Jesus Christ: if there is no death payment for sin, no burial, and no resurrection of Jesus Christ, humankind is still dead in their sins, and there are no other means, options or alternatives to salvation for humanity. Without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all humanity is dead in their sins and destined eternally for the Lake of Fire.
It is all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ’s death payment for sins, burial, and resurrection. Christ is risen! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16 KJV). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is everything to the saved because the saved know that it is not of anything that they have done for salvation. Salvation is freely received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, documented in the scriptures alone, and God be the glory alone. To the lost, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is foolishness: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:17-18 KJV).
Over and over it is documented in the scriptures that salvation is received by grace through faith in Christ alone. If salvation could be earned by works, rituals, sacraments, or traditions of men, do you think Jesus Christ would have revealed Himself in the flesh and died on the Cross for the sins of humankind, buried and resurrected the third day? I think not! However, there is only one way to Heaven, and it is through Jesus Christ.
Let us share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost so they hear the unedited version and maybe they will change their mind (repent) and receive Jesus Christ for salvation.
THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past, present, and future), He was buried, and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
God loves you. Lord Savior Jesus Christ was revealed in the flesh for one reason, and that is to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
All individuals are sinners. The payment for sin is death.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ died for you.
II Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
If you believe in Christ alone, you receive eternal life.
John 6:47: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I John 5:13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If you could be saved by being water baptized, doing good works, being a good person or following the Ten Commandments, why did (the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future) the Ever Presence Jesus Christ reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross and resurrect the third day?
Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If you could earn salvation by doing those things, then Jesus Christ died in vain. However, Jesus Christ didn’t die in vain. Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the Lamb of God, and only the Lamb of God can make a perfect sacrifice for sin. There is only one way to Heaven, and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ death payment for sin -death payment of past, present, and future sin.
People DO NOT go to Hell because they are “bad.” People go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior. People believe NOT Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. People do NOT trust alone in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:8-9: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Know that God is gracious to you, and He has already died for all your sins (past, present, and future), He was buried showing all the world He died for your sins, and He resurrected showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do: IT IS FINISHED!
I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation -believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection. Trust alone in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
Lance Edminster
The Good News Voice
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Once Saved, Always Saved -"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:28-30 KJV)