The Gift of the Gospel

This morning I felt like reading Paul's letter to Titus. The following verses are just really healthy - Titus 3:3-8 NIV:

[3] "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [8] This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

It is so important that we remember where we came from, how we became saved and the methods God used to draw us to Him. Salvation was a free gift, not something we earned. It is through love and kindness that we were drawn, and it is love and kindness that we must express to those in our previous state. He saved us, and this was accomplished through the Holy Spirit, washing us and cleansing us (sounds like repentance to me). We are now heirs having the hope of eternal life, and we are always justified because of His grace.

How easy it is for us to slide into thinking otherwise. Paul, in this letter, warns about the "circumcision group" which was a group who didn't want to let go of the religious practices of the Jews. They felt they had to add to the Gospel, and add additional human effort or actions to satisfy the requirements of righteousness. The Gospel was just too good to believe for them, so they added to it. This is unfortunately the case all too often for many churches. What starts as the pure Gospel, soon becomes loaded down with religion. There are ways to dress, ways to act, expectations and activities that are required. I am not saying that we shouldn't be changed by our salvation, for we are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) and that should be evident in our lives. We are to encourage each other onward in our lives in Christ, but we must not take on His role as Lord, nor take away from His gift of grace and His righteousness.

So let us remember how we once were, and express the same love and kindness to those who are lost and deceived. Let us not add to the Gospel, but rather hold it up as the greatest gift to all mankind and let us preach it without reservation or reduction.