The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16,
"They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit."
Paul speaks of opposition encountered when preaching the gospel. The "speaking" and "hearing" spoken of in verses 13-16, make clear Paul is talking about the proclamation of the gospel message. Evangelism. Explaining how Jesus Christ died for sinners and that his death on the cross would be credited to one's account in the court of God with forgiveness of sins and salvation if one places his faith and trust in him.
I can't help but notice Paul's connection with "speaking" relative to salvation in verse 16. God designed his program of redemption to be carried out by the proclamation of the gospel and its acceptance. Paul notes the opponents of Christianity attempted to stop the "speaking to the Gentiles" with the view of preventing them from being saved. According to Paul in verse 16, not speaking the gospel to others would prevent their salvation.
As then, there is still remaining today opposition to the clear and simple proclamation of the gospel. Often it is done by confusing and obscuring the gospel message. Hollywood portrays Christians as lunatics and fruit loops - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. Cults, counterfeit religions, false religions, isms and schisms all have their own message - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. Some say God has already appointed certain ones - so no need to listen to the true gospel message. All kinds of ways today that seek to do the same thing as what the opponents tried to do to Paul's Thessalonian believers: keep people from the gospel message to keep them from being saved.
The gospel message is clear and unambiguous in the Scriptures: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10. It is a message that must be preached to the lost that they may be saved. When proclaimed, those who respond in faith are saved, are given eternal life.
Where does that faith come from? Paul goes on to tell us in Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Therefore, the telling of the gospel is of utmost importance. It provides the context for faith to find its expression in Jesus Christ. When we hear that Jesus is Lord, that he died for us and was resurrected, demonstrating the Father's acceptance of his sacrifice, we either embrace it in faith, bringing us salvation, or reject it and seal our fate in God's wrath.
The gospel is an all-important message that must be proclaimed. All believers must promote the message and carry it where ever they go to whomever they encounter. Of it Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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