In an ever-changing world where different ideologies and beliefs compete for attention, the role of a pastor as a faithful steward of the Gospel grows increasingly important. In this blog post, we will explore the heart of the Gospel and its life-changing impact.

I firmly believe that to faithfully preach the authentic Gospel of Christ, we cannot shy away from addressing the lostness of man and God’s moral demands. Omitting these aspects means we are not presenting the true Gospel of Christ.

In Acts 24:25, we witness Paul reasoning with Felix about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. Paul urged Felix to put his faith in Christ Jesus, delivering a clear message about what God requires of us.

Throughout Scripture, we discover the unchanging nature of God’s message. We also learn that these truths are relevant for addressing the spiritual hunger of our contemporary world. The question remains, how can we preach the Gospel in a way that transcends cultural trends and resonates with the eternal needs of the human soul?

Righteousness: What God Demands

Righteousness is the divine standard that God demands from all of humanity. There are only two ways to be right with God – either by living a perfect, sinless life (which none of us can do) or by putting our trust in Jesus.

The impossibility of achieving righteousness on our own underscores our inherent need for a Savior. This dichotomy highlights the gracious alternative provided by God: putting our unwavering trust in Jesus. The essence of our righteousness lies not in our flawless deeds but in the redemptive power of faith in Christ.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 

It is through our faith in Christ that we become righteous. By relying on Jesus, He has endowed us with righteousness, aligning us with God’s standard (2 Corinthians 5:21). In essence, our journey towards righteousness is not a self-constructed path of perfection but a transformative relationship with the Savior who imputes His righteousness to us.

Self-Control: What God Desires

Self-control is another aspect of the Gospel that God desires from us. Unfortunately, it is not something we can produce on our own. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that God produces in us, as Galatians 5:22-24 tells us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:22–24 

In the Gospel context, self-control is more than behavioral restraint; it is a profound demonstration of yielding to the transformative power of God’s grace. The call to exercise self-control is intricately linked to the Christian’s response to the indwelling Holy Spirit. It reflects a conscious alignment of one’s will with God’s, acknowledging His lordship over every aspect of life.

In essence, self-control becomes a visible expression of the internal work of sanctification—a process by which believers are continually shaped and molded into the likeness of Christ.

Judgment: What God Will Do

Lastly, we cannot ignore the reality of God’s judgment. A final judgment awaits all of us, where everything will be disclosed, and we will give an account to God. We cannot stand before God based on our own merit; only Jesus can save us.

Through the Gospel, Jesus bridges the gap between human imperfection and divine perfection. Through Jesus’ sacrificial atonement, God gives believers a grace-filled pathway to salvation, enabling them to stand justified before Him. The emphasis here is not on human achievement but on divine intervention, where Jesus, as the righteous mediator, intercedes on behalf of those who place their trust in Him.

The Gospel weaves together the threads of judgment and salvation. It shows us the seriousness of divine judgment while highlighting the gracious provision of salvation through Christ. The Gospel calls us to recognize our inherent limitations and to embrace, the redemption provided by God’s unmerited favor.

Sharing Unpopular Truths

By highlighting God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness, and the judgment to come, Paul was showing Felix why he needed Jesus. These truths may not be popular, but that should not deter us from sharing the gospel. The exclusivity of Jesus Christ and the call to submit to His lordship may offend some, but that should not stop us from proclaiming the truth.

Let us embrace the call to righteousness, cultivate self-control through the work of the Holy Spirit, and recognize the significance of the final judgment. By doing so, we can fully understand the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives and extend that hope to others.

Regardless of what others may think, we have a responsibility to share the gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ is too important to keep to ourselves. Let us be bold and unashamed in preaching the authentic gospel, knowing that only Jesus can transform lives and bring salvation to those who believe.