Two Truths to the Gospel Message

The following verses were deeply impressed upon my heart after my Bible reading the other morning, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). In reading and studying scripture, I find that much of which once confused me now actually seems to make sense. There are two truths to the gospel message. While it is true “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” it is also true that “... whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

There was a time when many preachers taught mainly on hell and punishment, using their sermons to scare people into obeying God's commands. In lieu of this many people did attempt to live in obedience (as much as they were able to), out of fear of God's wrath. These scare tactics had a very negative effect. However, today many preachers have gone to the other extreme in preaching God’s LOVE to the extent that people are being deceived into believing they will be accepted by God just the way they are (in their sin), which is a LIE and as damaging an effect as preaching to the opposite extreme. If God truly accepts people just the way they are, why would God have sent his Son into the world to suffer His wrath for the punishment of the sins (past, present and future) of His people?

While it is true that God loved us while we were yet enemies, it is also true that His purpose in saving some was to conform them to the image of his Son, not to leave them in their sin. “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:7-9); “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).

Some seem to have the misguided notion that they can live in sin and still be accepted by God. This is not scripture’s teaching. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death” (Romans 6:1-3)?

While it is true that God is sanctifying his people, it is also true that we must be working out our salvation with fear and trembling, “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13); “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phil. 2:12), understanding “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). There are two truths we must keep in mind; God is 100% sovereign and man is 100% responsible.

There must be a balanced understanding of God’s message to his people, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). It is true that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), but it is also true that God is just. He will not allow sin to go unpunished. If one’s sins have not been punished in Christ through the cross, they will be punished in hell for all of eternity. To warn and encourage people to turn from their sin due to a coming judgment is to manifest God’s love to them, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17)?