Sounding Off: Things That are NOT the Gospel and Other Thoughts

This article introduces the first in a series of article, under the title “Sounding Off.”

Introduction

While the abolition of abortion can result from the worldwide proclamation of the gospel, the abolition of abortion is NOT the gospel.

From time to time, my mind races with thoughts regarding one subject or another and, for better or for worse, I put the proverbial pen to paper and engage in what I call a “brain dump.” Others might think of it as sounding off. The other day I experienced one of these “brain dumps” and, as a result, folks who follow my Twitter and Facebook pages were treated to a couple dozen posts.

One of my elders, Nick Rolland, suggested that I make sure to write the posts down. So, following his advice, give you the first in a series of articles titled “Sounding Off.” The articles in this series will consist of one-sentence statements, without additional commentary.

If you think any of the below statements might warrant its own article, let me know in the comments section below.

Sounding Off

While the abolition of same-sex unions and other union deformities can come as a result of the gospel, abolishing such things is NOT the gospel.

While peace can be brought about through the proclamation of the gospel, pursuing world peace is NOT the gospel.

While bringing about just governments can come as a result of gospel proclamation, bringing about just governments is NOT the gospel.

While impacting a culture can be the byproduct of gospel proclamation, impacting a culture is NOT the gospel.

Feeding the poor, clothing the destitute, and caring for widows and orphans are good things to do, but these activities are NOT the gospel.

Building homes in Mexico, providing people with clean water, giving mosquito nets to people in Africa are good things to do, but these activities are NOT the gospel.

Adopting and fostering children is wonderful and illustrative of biblical truth, but adopting and fostering children is NOT the gospel.

Doing outreaches into the community without gospel proclamation simply makes lost people more comfortable on their way to hell.

The gospel is a message communicated with WORDS. Your actions are NOT the gospel.

Developing relationships with people is NOT the gospel. God doesn’t need your dynamic personality to save people.

If you attend a Bible-believing/teaching, gospel preaching church you should invite people to come. But inviting people to church is NOT the gospel.

Parents: sending your children to Sunday School, youth group, or Summer Camp is not fulfilling your obligation to evangelize your children.

“If you build it they will come” was a great line in a movie, but it is not a biblical prescription for evangelism. Go; stand; speak.

While God can instantaneously heal any disease (if he chooses) with or without the gospel, receiving physical healing is NOT the gospel.

Jesus CAN fix broken relationships, heal broken bodies, and restore financial security. But NONE OF THESE THINGS are gospel promises. NONE.

Your happiness is not the goal of the gospel. Your forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to the God you’ve offended is the goal of the gospel.

It’s the height of arrogance to think dead and blind lost people see Jesus in you when your battling sin every day. YOU are NOT the gospel.

The gospel can bring about the restoration of your marriage, but God does not promise that and the restoration of your marriage is NOT the gospel.

God promises that people will hate you if you repent and believe the gospel, and that’s good news. It means God has separated you unto Himself.

“I don’t feel called to share the gospel.” Really? Then you’ve probably never truly believed the gospel. Repent and believe, now.

If you turn to Jesus simply hoping he will fix your life, then you want a life coach not Jesus. You’re still bound for hell, but you feel better.

Most baptism testimonies leave me feeling like I’m welcoming a person into a 12-step program instead of into the family of God. “Hi, John!”

God doesn’t have a hole in His heart that only you can fill. God doesn’t need you. You’re not lovable. If God saves you it’s IN SPITE of who you are.

If your first thoughts of heaven aren’t Christ, then you’re probably not going there. Repent and believe the gospel.

God saving people through the power of the gospel can bring about social justice, but bringing about social justice is NOT the gospel.

Building schools/hospitals/orphanages in other parts of the world are things the Church should be engaged in, but none of these are the gospel.