Romans 9:33

Mark Scholtz asserts that the message of the Gospel mustn't be altered.

Mark Scholtz

'As it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame."' (Romans 9:33)

I think we're still surprised when people get upset by the Gospel. It still surprises me when people get offended by the truth, but Jesus himself is called the "rock of offense". It shouldn't upset me or surprise me, because most nations that were founded on the Bible are now completely secular. Society has abandoned the Bible as the final source of truth. Once I make peace with that, I can get on and speak the truth in love anyway, but understand that it will not always be well received.

The Bible is a book of absolute truth. It declares that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. That's pretty exclusive. Not exclusive of people who can receive salvation, but exclusive in that it precludes any other religion or belief system as a pathway to a secure eternity. In today's culture of acceptance that is highly offensive!

But, we have another "problem". The Bible also contains instructions on how we should live our lives. I don't need to elaborate on the fact that my Generation X and the Millennials do not like to be told what to do! However, society cannot influence the message. We have to deliver it in a relevant way, but we cannot alter it to make it more palatable. Like never before we face this temptation as believers!

The Bible said that the Gospel is like a seed. If you take a physical seed, you can't cut off the bits you don't like and then plant it in the ground and expect it to grow into a tree. You have to deliver the whole seed into the ground without tampering with it. It's the same with the Gospel. The danger is that we can water down the message by cutting off the bits that are offensive and then plant it and expect it to grow.

The Gospel message is one of incredible grace and mercy showered on us by a loving Father. But, it's also a message of "taking up your cross" and submitting every area of your life to a King. It's also a message of holy living and the instructions for holy living are set out in the Bible. Let's leave the Old Testament out of it for just a minute - the New Testament has 1050 commands to us as believers. You can't leave them out; they are a crucial part of the seed! These commands won't save you, but those who live them out are showing fruit of their salvation. If you really love someone you want to learn how to please them. Our love for God should drive us into His Word to find out what type of lifestyle pleases Him!

I believe if we really want to love those around us, we need to be honest about this message we carry. They need to have no doubt that we believe what we believe. I'm passionate to see a generation of believers rise up and speak the truth in love. Some people will be offended by our "Jesus is the only way message". Others will respond and their lives and eternity will be changed forever.

People must have no doubt that we represent Jesus. When the wheels fall off, people want to find answers from a source that has truth. The rioters who have demonstrated outside the US Embassy in many African nations, go there because they have no doubt it represents America. When those same flag burning rioters need to travel to America, they will walk through the doors of that very same embassy! Why? Because, they have no doubt it represents America and they are certain that it's the place to get an American visa.

When our friends and family come looking for a Heavenly visa, they need to have no doubt they've come to the right place when they come to us.

Let's speak the truth in love and plant the whole, unaltered seed of the Gospel into the lives of those we love. There's a generation depending on it.