The thing that I’ve been battling with is that, regardless of how wrong some may have it, I cannot agree with some that view some of these people with suspicion and contempt. I’m of the view that many, including some who I myself would consider to be the most deceiving in perverting the Gospel message, have no intention of bringing anyone at all into harms way, and are actually trying to operate in love. Therefore, I believe it has to boil down to the necessity of having a clear understanding of what the Gospel is, and why it would be so offensive to the flesh.

Believe it or not, I am fully, and wholeheartedly in agreement with many who cling to a social gospel message in some areas. I am utterly convinced that as a Christian believer, there are many people who God will bring me into contact with, that will benefit from my committment and service to them according to the needs they may have, other than solely their spiritual needs. This is true even in the ministry I’m involved with in my neighbourhood, and as a ministry, we get extremely involved with the social needs of the community too, which in turn also builds up relationships of trust with those around us. But this in itself is not the Gospel, nor is it an attempt to sneak in the back door and “hit them with it”. It is simply the heart of compassion the Spirit has placed within us, working outwards towards those around us.

I believe the actual Good News of the Gospel has to be that which other men cannot supply. Which can only that a Sacrifice has been made, on behalf of all who will believe, sufficient to wipe out our sins completely before a Holy and Righteous God, and put us in right standing with Him.

Everything else that people would consider the Gospel, whilst being very good news indeed, is not actually the Gospel that we have been empowered to proclaim.