Much preaching and teaching happening today around the world has to do with ministers getting listeners to "live right" in order to recieve Gods blessing, and "live right" in order to avoid Gods jugement. This is contrary to the Good News of the Gospel which says that we are "made right" by simply believing the gospel.
The effortless glory in of believing the Gospel is that Right Believing = Right living.
When we get revelation of this amazing truth of what was accomplished by God through Jesus on the cross, we will automatically/accidentally begin to live right and overcome the things that we previously struggled with.
Whatever we give our attention to, to that will our hearts become receptive towards. If we give our attention to God and His Word, we will renew our minds to the exesting reality of who we are in Christ: A new creature, the righteousness of God, a co-heir with Jesus, a son.....
So, the more we focus on the Goodness of God, the more God concious we become.
On the other hand, when we incesantly focus on our shortfalls and sin issues, our hearts loose focus on God. This is the reason why preaching that focuses on behavioural modification instead of on the finished work of Jesus that earned for us as a free Gift, Gods righteousness for all who believe, is actually anti the Gospel.
Some would say that that is too harsh, well this is what Paul had to say:
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Here Paul says that there are ministers (even apostles), who, just as Satan appears as an angle of light - not TRUE light! - they too, are ministers that are preaching righteousness!! But its not a true righteousness. Its a self righteousness.
Outwardly, these ministers appear "holy" and are preaching a message that says "live Right", but that is NOT the Gospel! The Gospel has not: "live right" as its primary focus, it has: "Believe right" at its centre. Thats Grace!
If our righteousness had to do with our right living then it is no longer by Grace, its by self effort.
Salvation is a free Gift for all who believe. Paul ends that off by saying that their end will be according to their works!
Now, a good question to ask is, would we want our end to be according to our own works, or rather according to Jesus' work on our behalf.....
We'll take Jesus any day, right? Then lets be keenly aware to avoid a "gospel" of false righteousness that appears good but doesnt have Jesus at the centre.
For God so Loved the world...... When we realise that God loved us First, before we ever became aware of Him, then we'll see that all our own efforts to please God by living right are meaningless.
Stay focussed on the Gospel and our behaviour will soon follow suit - trust God!
God Blessed you!!
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