I read a book called The Way Of The Master that radically changed my view about the Gospel. It talked about the basic purpose of the Gospel. Some of us started to believe that the purpose of the Gospel is happiness on earth instead of righteousness with God.
I realized that I also conveyed Jesus to other people as just a way to improve your life. I didn't want to offend people. I wanted to share the gospel so that there was no way that people could be offended by leaving out details. Details like that your sin makes God angry and forms a barrier between you and God. And that God is coming again and that He will judge you. And that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell.
This is the reality but great care should go into the way that you convey this. You have to do it out of love and with sensitivity.
The book also talked about how the law that God gave
Moses shows us what sin is. I have read the 10 commandments and felt very convicted about my life. I asked myself: Why am I following Jesus?
My answer was that I followed Jesus so that I could have a better life.
I then asked myself a few questions.
Have I ever stolen something? Yes
Have I ever looked at a woman lustfully? Yes
And Jesus said that if we even looked at a woman lustfully that we have already committed adultery in our heart.
Have I ever disrespected my parents? Yes
Have I ever told a lie? Yes
So by doing these things I have broken 4 of the commandments and could call myself a thief, liar, adulterer and disrespector of my parents. Ouch! And what if God who is righteous and judges fairly would judge me... I would be guilty. This convicted me and I felt the desperate need for a saviour. I was feeling naked and ashamed.
Then believing Jesus and obeying Him made so much more sense. This uncomplicated message of salvation burnt more fervently in
my heart than ever before. I am also so much more satisfied with life.
Before, I thought that there was something wrong with my relationship with God when I felt down, hungry or if something bad happened to me. I felt this way because I thought that Christianity takes away all your problems on earth.
Look at Paul how he was hungry, poorly clothed and beaten. Even Jesus didn't have a place to rest his head on.
Now I am satisfied with the salvation and righteousness through Jesus Christ that I don't deserve. Through His grace I am forgiven.
I want you to ask yourself the question: Why am I following Jesus?
All Glory to God!
(Visit my personal blogsite at http://AlbieOnGlobalchallenge.blogspot.com/ )