2 things I know right now and can think about, not to exchange for the "social gospel" and remember it's not about moralism. I've been trying to examine myself and see how well I've been in not going over the edge with the these. I think one gets into the social gospel when you get into doing goods works and not mentioning the name of Jesus, that you are doing it in the name of Jesus.
This wretched show is making me think. No, we cannot replace the real gospel with this one. No it's not about being a "nice person" and doing some good works. That doesn't replace a relationship with God, it can't make up for it. It's good to see this in this context, like to say we're supposed to just be about good works and not include calling people to repentance & sanctification- that is replacing the truth of the gospel with this social one. Like some people just want that and not the other, and somehow that negates anything else- like doctrine or sin.
Good works were not why we were created. Yes it's true even someone like a Mother Theresa would have gone to hell, even with all her good, helpful & sacrificial deeds-if she didn't believe in & follow Jesus. There is no such thing as a good person, a "good Muslim", good Buddhist etc, going to heaven. So really we (I) shouldn't promote getting out there and helping the poor & or suffering as the beginning and end all. As if, that is the most important. We need to preach the real gospel first and then encourage Christians to grow in good works. Not that I had supplanted it, but maybe at times I'd have made it seem more important by reason of amount of discussion.
The other thing the show was dealing with was moralism. It shouldn't be about promoting and trying to change society just to be more moral. Maybe this would be like a Glen Beck or O’Riley. People coming up with their own standards and promoting, this is right and wrong & people shouldn't do this or that. As if right & wrong are just codes of living and that's all people need for society to be ok. As if knowing and trying to follow what's right, morality- without faith in Jesus...as if that were such a good thing. Some Muslims do this, some Jehovah’s Witnesses, some non born again Catholics, etc. Many do try to have their own codes\boundaries of some morality. Some are actually even good at keeping it up. Yet, this will not save, this is not the purpose of why we were created, this cannot replace receiving Christ. People can follow God's laws and principles and reap good things on earth for that, but that still isn't relationship with God nor will it get you into Heaven.
This is not to say there should be no morality & laws in society. The Bible says, that laws are given for the ungodly- for those who don’t have the true desire (born out of relationship with Jesus) in their hearts. Those that aren’t right motivated need outward laws & punishments\consequences to keep their behaviors from being destructive towards others etc…Following biblical morals and laws based on those will keep one (and others) safe and bide more time for coming to Christ.
I think that all life has intrinsic value, humans were created in the image of God and “God so loved the world that He gave His only son…” Obviously people have worth to God, for Him to sacrifice His son for us. Jesus didn’t die for the animals etc..
However it seems the only reason the unsaved continue to walk the earth (and even due evil & continue to hurt others) is: God is gracious & merciful to grant them more time & opportunity to receive Christ.
That's why I have tried not to put things on non-believers (those who haven't given their lives to Christ), like not trying to tell them they shouldn't do this or that, or live like this or that.. or get into what is right and wrong. That's putting the house before the cart. The main thing issue with the non-believers is "Where are you with Christ?" It's not about them not swearing around me, or not lying, or just be a better person, etc.. The main problem is Jesus, they need to get right with Jesus. As if they stop drinking and then it's all good, as if they weren't homosexual then they can get on with their life. No, things aren't going anywhere, and everyone is all in the same boat no matter their level of trying to keep Biblical morality. All non Christians are going to Hell, no matter how many good deeds they've done in their lives, and no matter how many moral principles they followed. Of course very often is the case that a person has to repent of a specific thing (everyone has to repent for whatever sins they committed, in the process of coming to Christ). So one have to mention that they need to stop doing & or living like this or that- in the context of, if they are saying they want to be or are a Christian. Like one needs to repent from their sins and turn from them (as they believe in Christ & decide to be His follower). If one truly is turning & repenting, one will stop doing those things.
If we as Christians go out in the world and preach to be moral, instead of preaching Christ and that people need to get saved, things are mixed up. We need to be careful not to be so hyped up about morality & helping the needy that we get distracted from making it clear that Jesus is what people really need. That that really is on the top of the hierarchy.
This wretched show is making me think. No, we cannot replace the real gospel with this one. No it's not about being a "nice person" and doing some good works. That doesn't replace a relationship with God, it can't make up for it. It's good to see this in this context, like to say we're supposed to just be about good works and not include calling people to repentance & sanctification- that is replacing the truth of the gospel with this social one. Like some people just want that and not the other, and somehow that negates anything else- like doctrine or sin.
Good works were not why we were created. Yes it's true even someone like a Mother Theresa would have gone to hell, even with all her good, helpful & sacrificial deeds-if she didn't believe in & follow Jesus. There is no such thing as a good person, a "good Muslim", good Buddhist etc, going to heaven. So really we (I) shouldn't promote getting out there and helping the poor & or suffering as the beginning and end all. As if, that is the most important. We need to preach the real gospel first and then encourage Christians to grow in good works. Not that I had supplanted it, but maybe at times I'd have made it seem more important by reason of amount of discussion.
The other thing the show was dealing with was moralism. It shouldn't be about promoting and trying to change society just to be more moral. Maybe this would be like a Glen Beck or O’Riley. People coming up with their own standards and promoting, this is right and wrong & people shouldn't do this or that. As if right & wrong are just codes of living and that's all people need for society to be ok. As if knowing and trying to follow what's right, morality- without faith in Jesus...as if that were such a good thing. Some Muslims do this, some Jehovah’s Witnesses, some non born again Catholics, etc. Many do try to have their own codes\boundaries of some morality. Some are actually even good at keeping it up. Yet, this will not save, this is not the purpose of why we were created, this cannot replace receiving Christ. People can follow God's laws and principles and reap good things on earth for that, but that still isn't relationship with God nor will it get you into Heaven.
This is not to say there should be no morality & laws in society. The Bible says, that laws are given for the ungodly- for those who don’t have the true desire (born out of relationship with Jesus) in their hearts. Those that aren’t right motivated need outward laws & punishments\consequences to keep their behaviors from being destructive towards others etc…Following biblical morals and laws based on those will keep one (and others) safe and bide more time for coming to Christ.
I think that all life has intrinsic value, humans were created in the image of God and “God so loved the world that He gave His only son…” Obviously people have worth to God, for Him to sacrifice His son for us. Jesus didn’t die for the animals etc..
However it seems the only reason the unsaved continue to walk the earth (and even due evil & continue to hurt others) is: God is gracious & merciful to grant them more time & opportunity to receive Christ.
That's why I have tried not to put things on non-believers (those who haven't given their lives to Christ), like not trying to tell them they shouldn't do this or that, or live like this or that.. or get into what is right and wrong. That's putting the house before the cart. The main thing issue with the non-believers is "Where are you with Christ?" It's not about them not swearing around me, or not lying, or just be a better person, etc.. The main problem is Jesus, they need to get right with Jesus. As if they stop drinking and then it's all good, as if they weren't homosexual then they can get on with their life. No, things aren't going anywhere, and everyone is all in the same boat no matter their level of trying to keep Biblical morality. All non Christians are going to Hell, no matter how many good deeds they've done in their lives, and no matter how many moral principles they followed. Of course very often is the case that a person has to repent of a specific thing (everyone has to repent for whatever sins they committed, in the process of coming to Christ). So one have to mention that they need to stop doing & or living like this or that- in the context of, if they are saying they want to be or are a Christian. Like one needs to repent from their sins and turn from them (as they believe in Christ & decide to be His follower). If one truly is turning & repenting, one will stop doing those things.
If we as Christians go out in the world and preach to be moral, instead of preaching Christ and that people need to get saved, things are mixed up. We need to be careful not to be so hyped up about morality & helping the needy that we get distracted from making it clear that Jesus is what people really need. That that really is on the top of the hierarchy.
