1048. Defining "The Gospel"

The gospel. We hear the word a lot—probably without thinking much about what it specifically means. Meanings in the Greek describe gospel as to proclaim or declare good news. And while it is literally defined as good news—and we can relate the good news to Jesus—what exactly is that good news?

There are many Bible-related nuggets and concepts that may be assumed or considered as the gospel of Jesus Christ but might often be quite different from the way the Apostle Paul described it ... and may not be the gospel at all.




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1018. A Listener Asks: Why Do So Many Churches and Christians Mix Law and Grace?

There is a wide array of different church affiliations out there around the world and many have very differing points of view on many different things. But there are some common threads found through the spectrum. First, most believe that they pretty much use the Bible as the source for their beliefs. Second, they mix an "old covenant" that Israel was under with a new and better covenant established after Jesus died.

The first covenant came through Moses and was based on pursuing righteousness by works and deeds. The second came by Jesus Christ, bringing a realization of grace and the gift of righteousness apart from works and deeds. Two very different covenants—manifested at different times—and were not alike.

Naturally, this begs the question: Why do so many Christians and churches feel the need to have a "balance" by mixing law and grace? We offer some possibilities on this week's program.



   
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923. "A Different Gospel" (Mixture of Law and Grace) Distorts the Gospel of Christ

When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, he was astonished at how quickly they had been turned by others who invaded their turf after he had been there ... and these seemed to want to distort the gospel of Christ. These Gentiles had previously been given the pure message of the grace of Jesus, but were now being told they needed to mix some aspects of the Mosaic law with faith in Christ.

Paul referred to it as a different gospel (although it was really no gospel at all). He had some strong words against those delivering this contrary message and it launched the rest of his "Galatians" letter, where he would expound on the differences between a ministry of bondage under works, compared to a New Covenant of Faith.



   
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798. Paul: Beware of Those Desiring to Be Teachers of the Law

Back in the early church, one of the greatest challenges Paul and his company faced was to expose those who would promote a different gospel, which often blended the keeping of the Mosaic law with the message of Jesus. At the beginning of his letter to Timothy, Paul instructed him to confront those who were spreading such strange doctrines, as they desired to be teachers of the law, even though they did not understand what they were talking about. He went on to explain the law was never meant for believers in Christ.

As Paul explained to the churches in Galatia, it was a tutor to bring people to faith. Once faith is in place, people are no longer under the tutor (law). The hypocrisy of modern-day law advocates within the Christian church can be easily exposed—as they are selling a weakened version of God’s original, perfect standard, while ignoring the vast majority of what was given to Israel. Partake of either law or grace, but they were never meant to be mixed. One brought death, the other provides life.

   
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794. Paul: One Gospel for All - Don’t Set Aside Grace in Exchange for Works

When Paul came to the knowledge of Christ’s saving grace, he spent several years being taught the gospel message by God through revelation, and declared how he had not received this from men. He spent much of his time proclaiming this good news of grace to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul came down hard on those who were preaching “another gospel” and even went so far as to say that anyone who was teaching something different than the gospel of grace … let them be accursed. And what was that different gospel? Paul reveals to the Galatian churches it involved mixing law with grace.

Things haven’t changed much in the past 2,000 years. Although the rules and regulations are tweaked based upon religious brands and cultural changes, the Christian religious system often weakens the message by emphasizing a works-based message while putting grace on the shelf. Grace may be used as a selling point, but watch out for the fine print.

   
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