Keep the Gospel Simple!!

You could call this part 2 of my "Lordship Salvation" post.

"Acts 15:1, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

The Bible says that “certain men” came down from Judaea who taught false doctrine to the brethren, perverting the Gospel message. They taught that a person who is not circumcised and fails to keep the Law cannot be saved. This greatly troubled the brethren, who had been previously taught by the Apostle Paul that salvation was wholly of God's grace and not of works.

The Bible tells us in Romans 4:5,6,
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."
Carefully notice the words "to him that worketh not." Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. This cannot be overstated. Also notice the words "unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." We are saved by Christ's righteousness, and not our own efforts. It's not what we do that saves us, but what Jesus did.

The Word of God teaches that if the sinner recognizes his sinnership—acknowledging that he is guilty of being as vile as God's Word has declared him to be—and that person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven—he will be saved. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." We don't forsake a sinful life as a prerequisite to be saved; rather, we trust upon the Lord to forgive our sins and then he makes the necessary changes in our life.

There is no greater truth in the universe than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are the sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15,6:23). Salvation is receiving, not giving. It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." This is the simplicity and power of the Gospel."



“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”
A Quote by Harry Ironside (1876-1951)

The Words of that great old Hymn are so true:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
look full in His wonderfull face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His Glory (Goodness) and Grace"

Many teachers/preachers will insist on preaching a "self examination" message, but that, simply, is NOT the Gospel, and it's NOT the way to overcome "sin cycles".
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus" is the way to overcome the things of this world. The Bible says that our FAITH is the victory that overcomes the World. Have Faith in the Gospel that Jesus has done it all already on your behalf in terms of your rightstanding before the Father - and all because He Loves us so much.
God wants us to be Jesus concious and NOT sin concious! (Heb 10)

Perhaps more of this in another post.

Remember, God Already Blessed you!!
Andrew