Building up believers and the New Testament church

To Live Is Christ

The True Gospel

All the religions of our day have a book. Many of them use the scriptures we use, the Bible. But it will never make them one. Even though some may believe the same things, it is only the Holy Spirit that can make us one and unite us with God, as God has designed.

We must come back to understand what the gospel is. The gospel is the good news that God has dealt with sin and has come to abide within. We're not talking about "another gospel"; we're talking about the gospel. Until we get back to ministering the gospel God has set forth in His Word, rather than a "believism" of certain facts or words that have been written down for us (the scriptures)--and putting our trust in the scriptures rather than in a living relationship with God--we will continue to miss what God has for us. Sadly, around the world in every culture, we see people that name the name of God and Jesus, yet with a lack of the presence and power of the Spirit moving in their midst to lead them, direct them, and unite them as He has designed.

God's purpose is not going to fail. God is working all things according to His will. The real question is, are we willing to humble ourselves and let God work? Are we willing to receive the promise that He has given, and not be those that are just worshipping the letter of the Word or defending the scriptures, or the Greek text it has been translated from? Instead, let us come into contact with a living God who speaks to us in power. He has given us Himself, that we might live His life.

This is exactly what the apostle Paul said: "I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). If we know God, we know Him only by the Spirit. Someone may be able to recite the scriptures from memory, from Genesis to Revelation, yet still not know the living Christ, and not be living His life.

The real question is, do we have a religion of words and doctrines we believe, or do we have a relationship with the One who gave us the written account of His working? God has given us the promise of the Spirit so that we could know the One who inspired men to give us the account. Which would you rather have? Just the scriptures, the written account? Or would you rather have the One who gave us the account, and know the fullness of God's purpose by experiencing God Himself? God said He would come to indwell us. He said He would come to set us free from sin and death, making us alive unto Him. This is the gospel.

Next: Your Choice