Devotional

THE GOSPEL IS NOT AMERICAN DREAM

August 24, 2020 · Lanre Oyeleke · 4 views

Romans1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

There's a type of message that present the gospel as a ticket for achieving ones dreams and aspirations. Many years ago, I was an avid preacher of this pseudo gospel. In one of my teachings, I told my listeners to close their eyes so that they can imagine their success. While their eyes were closed, I painted a very good picture of a bright life for them and they were enwrapped in their illusion thinking I was preaching the gospel. I supported my teaching with the scriptures and that made it look appealing. Anyone can support junks with misinterpreted scriptures.

Later, I realized I watered down the gospel that day. Not because it was bad to imagine success and wellness but simply because I failed to tell my audience about the cross and the man of calvary. The things I read in success motivation books and heard from the preachers of American dream formed the bulk of my message. Nothing about Christ and his finished work. You don't need to be a Christian to be wealthy and healthy. If the gospel is limited to that alone, we have denied the power of the cross. I'm in no way saying poverty and sickness is God's will, no they are not. However, you'll agree with me that there are unbelievers that are healthy and wealthy so there must be more to the gospel.

The evangelism some do is devoid of the gospel. It is either they're telling you to come for breakthrough or to come see their powerful Pastor. The Gospel is the message of salvation by grace (Rom10:13, Eph2:8-9), Justification(Romans5:1), Sanctification(1Cor6:1, 2Thess2:13) and glorification (Col3:4, Phil3:20-21). That is what Paul, Peter and the early apostles preached. They had no other message. Apostle Paul said, "...Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"(1Cor9:16). Eloquence and high sounding rhymes is not the gospel. Beware of another gospel. If you remove the cross from the gospel, the message becomes empty. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."(1Cor1:17).

Action point

Review your messages and expunge whatever doesn't point people to Christ and his gospel.

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