A Distorted Gospel

This morning I am reading out of 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 NIV:

[1] "Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. [2] Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. [3] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. [4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."

- and -

1 John 4:9-10, 16-18 NIV
[9] "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

[16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [17] This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. [18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

My meditation is on the distorted Gospel that is often preached today - one of fear of God's punishment for the sins of our country, our community. Paul spoke of making sure they did not distort the Gospel, but rather set it forth plainly, so that it displayed the light, the glory that is in Christ Jesus, who is the very image of God. John said it so very clearly - God is love, and proved it by sending His son, not to condemn and punish the world that was in sin, but rather as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." Our Gospel is supposed to be a Gospel (Good News) of God's love, not God's impending punishment for our sins. Jesus paid for our sins with His life - is there no value in His sacrifice any more?

The light of the Gospel must shine out from the church, and this light is the truth that God is love, and He has paid for our sins, and made a way for us to enter into relationship with Him as sons and daughters. There is life, power, freedom, hope and light available to us in Christ. He took the punishment for our sins upon Himself (Is 53:4-5). Let us not preach fear of punishment, for there is no fear in Love, and God's love is supposed to drive out fear, not create it. Let us be beacons of love in this dark and veiled world, preaching God's love, forgiveness of sins that have already been paid for, and hope.