I just returned from Together for the Gospel (www.t4g.org) 2010 in Louisville, KY. Words fall short when it comes to describing the level of teaching, fellowship, and worship that was experienced. The theme of the conference this year was: An (Un)adjusted Gospel. The obvious thrust of the conference revolved around the idea that an adjusted Gospel is a false Gospel. One of the challenges to ministry in the 21st century is dealing with those who continue to try and make adjustments to a Gospel that needs no adjustment whatsoever. This, of course, is not a new problem. For centuries, men have tried to adjust and change the Gospel according to the trends of culture and the personal bias of their own ideas. Together for the Gospel 2010 simply sought to say, the Gospel is the Gospel and it should never be altered or changed!
One of the realities for me this week was that while the Gospel remains unadjusted, what needs to happen is for society to adjust to it! We need to be an adjusted people; people who take the unchanging truth of God and His Word and adjust our very lives to it. The Gospel needs no help! The Gospel needs no improvement! The Gospel is perfect and complete just as it is! The question is, “Why do people feel the need to try and change a perfect Gospel?” The famous, or rather infamous leader of the Emergent Church, Brian McLaren, has been quoted as saying, “After 2000 years, we still have not gotten the ‘gospel’ right yet.” How could a born again, biblically sound, genuinely orthodox follower of Jesus Christ make a statement like that? The answer? They can’t! Those who are truly born again have accepted the Gospel as it has been revealed in God’s most Holy Word. Listen to this great passage from Romans 2:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ!” Did you see that? Once you recognize that you are sinner, completely destitute, separated from the Holy God and utterly condemned in His presence, but look to Jesus as your substitute and call on Him by faith, you are saved! Jesus is the only means of salvation. The Scripture says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given by which we must be saved.” Salvation is about Christ and Christ alone! He does not need any help! We need not to add anything to the complete and gracious saving work of Jesus…the Gospel! This is a beautiful Gospel…this is a complete Gospel…this is a Gospel that needs no adjustment!
As I reflect on the conference and the things I heard and observed, I find myself doing some serious soul searching! One of the things that is compelling and gripping is that because of how glorious and perfect the Gospel is, I am moved to want to do more; to sacrifice more, to share more, to love more, to teach more, to go more for the cause of Christ. As the great hymn says, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” I am not sure all God wants me to do in light of the truth I encountered this week, but one thing for sure…greater sacrifice! I need to center my life, my family and the church I am called to lead, more and more on the unadjusted Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! My heart is full right now! Full of gratitude to God for saving a wretch like me, for blessing me with so many wonderful things and for calling me into the awesome world of ministry! But, in light of all the gratitude I feel, I am simply compelled to serve Him more faithfully and sacrifice for Him more joyfully!
Let me ask you some questions:
1. Do you believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is perfect and complete?
2. Have you believed in Jesus Christ, the One the Gospel points us to, as your only Savior and means of salvation?
3. In light of such a glorious and fully redemptive Gospel, how is your life daily changed by the Lord Jesus’ impact on your life? Are you sacrificing for Him? Are you serving Him? Are you glorifying Him and pointing others to Him?
One of the great songs we sang this week was a song called, All I Have is Christ.” Listen to these powerful words and as you do, worship the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…the One who came to us, lived a sinless life, but was crucified as an atonement for sin, raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father.
I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life has led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!
But as I ran my hell bound race, indifferent to the cost.
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the Cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed, You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me, now all I know is grace.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!
Now Lord I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see,
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
O Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose,
and let my song forever be my only boast is You!
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!
