For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well! — 2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB
We do not need to repackage the gospel, but we see many churches use slick means to attract people into the church. These strategies, based on wisdom of men, are often centred around emotion, entertainment, and charismatic personality. These churches sometimes forget or ignore the fact that what people are drawn with, is what they are drawn to.
If people are drawn with the true gospel of Christ, they are more likely to walk, abide and remain in Christ. However, if they are drawn with all pleasantness, tolerance, entertainment, and a free spirit mindset, these will be their focus. For example, I have seen some church people demonstrate unflinching allegiance, loyalty, and obedience to their pastors more than God and His Word.
Repackaging the gospel could leave the door open for people to live in ways that contradicts the Word of God. When a church does not preach on holiness and what it means to be truly converted, ungodliness is likely to be present in that church. Some preachers call people to come as they are to receive Jesus and experience the love of God with no mention of sin and repentance.
While God is love and love is His nature, He also hates sin, unrighteousness, and injustice. No wonder many claim they know Jesus but will not give up their former ways of life. They claim they’re not doing anything wrong because God is love and He loves them as they are.
The church needs to understand that the unbelieving world is watching. They will call us hypocrites and blaspheme the name of God if they see no difference between the world and the church.
Preaching another Jesus and another gospel comes in different forms. Different church bodies have their own peculiarity. There are churches that make the gospel about church traditions, and some about money to mention a few.
I have seen how some use coercive and manipulative means to teach on giving. I once heard a pastor tell his members that ten percent of their income is the starting point or the bare minimum a Christian should give. And if a Christian thinks ten percent is too much to give to Jesus, then that Christian is stingy – Wow!
These teachings deceive people into believing the gospel is about how much one can give to God as proof of their genuine salvation and appreciation for what Christ has done. This is a perversion of the gospel.
The true gospel is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, completely free from any human additions, work, or merit. Put differently, the true gospel is the good news of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone and in Christ alone. To add or take away from this, is preaching another gospel.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 