The Big Picture: gospel

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Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Justification: Guarding the Line of Truth

One of the greatest dangers in our day is the subtle fabrication of truth. A teaching may sound sincere, even biblical, yet it stretches beyond Paul’s doctrine and blurs the line between reconciliation, forgiveness, and justification. Our task is to keep our nose in the Book, rightly dividing the Word of truth, so that we can discern between what God has said and what man imagines.

Recently, in an online discussion, several of these skewed views were aired and openly debated. They reveal how easily believers can be swayed into fabricating truth — either through sincere ignorance of their Bible or through blatant negligence toward the truth. In either case, the result is the same: misinterpretation of Scripture or outright rejection of doctrine in favour of something else. Let’s look at these views and compare them to Paul’s grace doctrine, and then debunk them simply by applying Scripture in its correct context.

Fabrication 1: “You don’t need forgiveness.”

They claim that since God is not imputing sin today, forgiveness is unnecessary. They reason that if sin is not charged, then forgiveness is redundant. This view arises from a shallow reading of 2Cor.5:19 and a failure to compare Scripture with Scripture.

How Grace Transforms Faith in Daily Life

Understanding the Foundation of Grace

Faith can only be understood correctly when it is placed upon the foundation of grace, because in this present dispensation God is not relating to humanity through the demands of the law or the measurement of human performance, but through the completed work of Christ. Grace is God’s initiative, His provision, and His finished accomplishment on behalf of the believer. It is the divine groundwork laid before any human response is possible. Scripture affirms this clearly when it says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace provides the gift long before faith reaches out to receive it, and this order is essential for understanding how the believer stands, grows, and operates in the Christian life.

Defining Faith as a Response to Truth

Faith, in its biblical sense, is not a force generated by human willpower nor a feeling that fluctuates with emotion. It is the settled persuasion that what God has spoken is true simply because God has spoken it. Scripture teaches that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17), showing that faith is born from truth, shaped by truth, and strengthened by truth. Under grace, faith does not attempt to convince God to act, nor does it strive to earn what God has already provided. Instead, faith responds to the truth of what Christ has accomplished, trusting that His finished work is sufficient and complete.

Contrasting Law and Grace to Clarify Faith’s Role

Why Believers Doubt: Assurance, Grace, and the Authority of Paul’s Doctrine

Doubt is one of the most common struggles among sincere believers, and it often appears precisely in those who genuinely trust Christ. When someone says, “I believe Him to be the Lord and Savior of my soul, yet I still doubt my salvation,” the issue is never the finished work of Christ—it is always the battle between the renewed spirit and the unrenewed mind. Under grace, salvation is not measured by feelings, sensations, or visible signs. Paul teaches that we are saved by believing the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-4), and he never ties assurance to emotional experiences or physical manifestations. Instead, he anchors it entirely in the objective truth of Christ’s finished work. Doubt does not mean a person is unsaved; it simply reveals that the flesh is still active (Gal 5:17) and the mind still needs renewal (Rom 12:2).

Many believers assume that the absence of dramatic transformation means nothing has happened. But Paul teaches that the moment we believe, God performs a spiritual operation that is invisible to the senses: we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), justified by faith (Rom 5:1), forgiven of all trespasses (Col 2:13), and made complete in Christ (Col 2:10). None of these realities produce physical sensations. The transformation the Holy Spirit works in us is internal and progressive, not outward or instant. The flesh remains unchanged (Rom 7:18), which is why a believer may “feel the same” even though everything has changed spiritually. Growth comes through doctrine, not emotion; through renewing the mind (Rom 12:2), not through waiting for signs; through walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), not through outward measures.

Thou shalt be saved, and thy house: What this promise really means

When Paul tells the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” he is not announcing a shortcut to salvation, nor is he teaching that one person’s faith automatically transfers to everyone under their roof. Scripture never presents salvation as a group event triggered by the belief of a single individual. Instead, the statement reveals something far more consistent with the entire biblical pattern: when the head of a home turns to Christ, the door of the gospel swings open for everyone connected to that home. The promise is not that they are saved because he believed, but that they now stand within reach of the same saving message he has just received.

In the ancient world, a “household” was more than just the immediate family members. It included servants, dependents, and anyone living under the authority and care of the head of the home. When that head responded to the gospel, the apostles naturally directed the message to everyone within that relational sphere. This is exactly what happens in Acts 16. The very next verse says, “they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” Each person heard the gospel for themselves. Each responded for themselves. The household was not saved by the jailer’s faith — the household was saved by their own faith, made possible because the jailer’s faith brought the gospel into their world.

This is the consistent pattern throughout Acts. Cornelius believed, and therefore his household also heard and believed. Lydia believed, and therefore her household likewise heard and believed. The gospel may enter a home through one person, but it never bypasses the personal response of those who hear it. God saves individuals, not clusters. Yet He often works through relational networks, and when one heart opens to Christ, the ripple effect can reach everyone connected to that life.

So, the meaning becomes clear: “Thou shalt be saved” speaks to the jailer’s personal faith. “And thy house” speaks to the extension of the same opportunity to those under his care. His belief opened the door for his justification; but through this opportunity, it brought justification to those in his family, who through their own faith, believed. The promise is not automatic salvation — it is automatic access to salvation. God honours the structure of the home by allowing the gospel to flow through it, but He honours the dignity of each soul by requiring each person to respond.

Credits to my friend Dennis for this topic.

How Can You Be Justified with God?

There is a question that rises above every other question you will ever ask in this brief and fragile life, a question that stands like a mountain above the plains of human curiosity, refusing to be ignored or postponed, because it reaches beyond the boundaries of time and presses into eternity itself. That question is simply this: How can you be justified with God? You may spend your days wondering where you came from, what your purpose is, how the universe works, or what lies beyond the veil of death, but all these inquiries, however noble or fascinating, eventually bend toward this one unavoidable point. If you cannot stand righteous before a holy God, then every other discovery, achievement, or insight becomes nothing more than a temporary distraction from an eternal problem. Job asked it plainly: “How should man be just with God?” (Job 9:2). Bildad echoed it: “How then can man be justified with God?” (Job 25:4). And whether you realize it or not, your own soul whispers the same question in the quiet hours when the noise of life fades and the weight of eternity presses in.

Yet the tragedy—and the irony—is that although this question is the greatest question ever placed before the human heart, you are utterly incapable of answering it by your own intellect, your own religion, or your own tradition. You may pride yourself on your intelligence, your education, your ability to reason and analyze and debate, but the moment you attempt to climb the heights of God’s righteousness with the ladder of your own understanding, you discover that your ladder is far too short, your footing far too weak, and your vision far too dim. God confronted Job with this reality when He asked, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4), reminding him—and reminding you—that the human mind, however brilliant, cannot reach into the counsels of God or grasp the depths of His righteousness. You may understand the mechanics of the world around you, but you cannot, by intellect alone, understand the holiness of the God who made it.

QUESTION:

As a Christian who follows the Messiah rather than the traditions of Christianity, what day did and does the Messiah — our example — continue to esteem (Greek: κρίνω, to judge, to decide, to determine) as the Sabbath (Hebrews 13:8)?

ANSWER:

When we look at the life of the Messiah in the days of His earthly ministry, we see that He honoured the Sabbath as it was given by God from the beginning. Luke 4:16 says that it was His custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. This was right in the context of Israel under the Law, for Jesus was “made under the law” (Galatians 4:4) and lived as a Jew among Jews. He did not set aside the Sabbath, but He corrected the false traditions that men had added, showing that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). In that time, the seventh day was rightly esteemed, because the Law was still in effect for Israel.

But when we rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we see that the Sabbath, along with feast days, ordinances, and observances, does not apply to the body of Christ today. Paul makes this clear in Colossians 2:16–17: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” These things were shadows, pointing forward, but now the reality is Christ Himself. Under grace, they are of no effect, because our standing before God is not in ordinances but in the finished work of Christ.

Paul’s doctrine, the mystery revealed to him, is what governs the body of Christ today. He was given the dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2–3), and his epistles are our curriculum, our spiritual doctrine. God’s will in this dispensation is simple and clear: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). That truth is found in Paul’s gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25). This is what matters for us today, not the observances of the Law given to Israel.

In summary, Jesus esteemed the Sabbath in His earthly ministry because He lived under the Law as a Jew. But for the body of Christ, the Sabbath and all ordinances are no longer binding. Paul teaches that these things are shadows, and in grace they have no effect. Our focus is on the mystery doctrine revealed to Paul, which is God’s will for us today: salvation and the knowledge of the truth through the gospel of Christ.

When Foundations Are Blended – How Misunderstanding Scripture Breeds Confusion

When the Bible is not rightly divided, sincere believers often blend Israel’s kingdom doctrine with the Body of Christ’s grace doctrine. This mixture may seem harmless, even noble, but it produces confusion, contradiction, and ultimately false doctrine. Instead of clarity, we get manmade interpretations that twist Scripture to fit human reasoning. Instead of assurance, we get spiritual instability.

The root issue is foundational: Israel’s prophetic program and the Body of Christ’s mystery program are not the same. They have different audiences, different messages, and different hopes. When these are blended together, even well-meaning believers begin to reinterpret verses, redefine terms, and resist the very apostle Christ sent to reveal the truth for this age.

Below are twenty real-world claims made by believers who do not rightly divide. Each one is followed by a doctrinal correction using Scripture alone—especially Paul’s epistles, which contain the doctrine for the Body of Christ. These examples are not meant to shame, but to teach. They show how far we can drift when we ignore the dispensational boundaries God has placed in His Word.

🔹 Claim 1: “I believe the Bible teaches there is one foundation; not two.”

Correction: Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the ultimate foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), but it also reveals that this foundation is applied differently across dispensations.

Israel’s foundation was laid in prophecy and promises (Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 16:18), connected to the kingdom and covenants.
The Body of Christ’s foundation was revealed as a mystery after the cross (Romans 16:25, Ephesians 2:20), built on the gospel of grace.

Paul distinguishes between what was spoken by the prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21) and what was kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25). These are not the same foundation in application, audience, or doctrine.

Contrasting Foundations – Israel’s Kingdom vs Our Foundation in Christ

Scripture reveals two distinct foundations—one for Israel’s prophetic kingdom program, and one for the Body of Christ in this present age of grace. Israel’s foundation is earthly and covenant-based. It was laid through the prophets and confirmed by Christ’s earthly ministry. Jesus said to Peter, “upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18)—a reference to the Messianic assembly built on Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This church was part of Israel’s kingdom hope, not the Body of Christ. Their foundation includes law, signs, and national restoration, and awaits fulfilment when Messiah reigns on David’s throne (Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 1:32-33).

In contrast, our foundation is heavenly and complete, revealed only after the cross through Paul’s gospel. It rests on Christ crucified, buried, and risen (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), and is offered freely to all who believe. Hebrews 6:1 warns Jewish believers not to “lay again the foundation” of repentance and dead works—because their foundation had already been laid in Christ. But the Body of Christ was not built on Israel’s foundation. We are built on “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2), according to the mystery revealed to Paul (Romans 16:25). Our doctrine is grace, not law; spiritual blessings, not earthly inheritance; union with Christ, not national identity.

🧱 Israel’s Foundation – Prophetic and Earthly

The Everlasting Gospel: A Proclamation, not a Salvation Message

Revelation 14:6-7 describes a striking moment during the tribulation:

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth… Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Many assume this angel is preaching the same gospel Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. But the message here is different. It contains no mention of Christ’s death, burial, or resurrection. No call to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. No offer of justification or eternal life. Instead, it is a global proclamation of God’s authority and a warning of imminent judgment.

This is not the gospel of grace. Nor is it the gospel of the kingdom. It is the everlasting gospel—a declaration of who God is and what He is about to do. It calls all nations to fear, glorify, and worship the Creator. It affirms His eternal right to judge. But it does not save.

What Is a Gospel?

The word “gospel” simply means “good news.” Scripture uses it in different contexts:

The gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23) was good news to Israel about the coming reign of Messiah.
The gospel of grace (Acts 20:24) is good news to all about salvation through Christ’s finished work.
The everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6-7) is good news that God is still sovereign—even in judgment.

Each gospel is true. Each is good. But each must be understood in its context. The everlasting gospel is not a plan of salvation—it is a call to acknowledge God’s authority before His wrath is poured out.

One Gospel, Rightly Divided: Exposing the Fault Lines in Non-Dispensational Thinking

A frequent criticism of dispensational teaching is that it promotes multiple gospels and separates the words of Jesus from the message of salvation. Opponents argue that dispensationalism creates a theological fracture—one gospel for Israel, another for the Church, and yet another in the future. They claim this undermines the unity of Christ and the authority of His teachings.

But this objection arises from a failure to distinguish between the content of the gospel as progressively revealed and the means of salvation, which has always been by grace through faith. Dispensationalism does not divide Christ—it rightly divides His ministries and clarifies the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.

Let us examine and correct the key misunderstandings.

1. Dispensationalism Does Not Teach Different Ways of Salvation

Scripture is clear: salvation has always been by grace through faith. Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Paul affirms this in Romans 4:2-5, showing that justification by faith was not a new doctrine introduced by Paul, but a principle established long before the law. However, the nature of that faith—and how it was expected to be expressed—varied according to the dispensation.

Hebrews 11 does not teach that saints were saved by faith alone in the Pauline sense. Rather, it shows that Old Testament believers were justified by faith that obeyed. Noah built an ark (Hebrews 11:7), Abraham offered Isaac (Hebrews 11:17), Moses forsook Egypt (Hebrews 11:27). Their faith was active, enduring, and obedient—fully consistent with the kingdom program, which required works as the visible outworking of genuine belief. As James wrote to the twelve tribes: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). In that context, a confession without obedience was not saving faith.

Many who oppose dispensational truth often raise concerns about the unity of God and the gospel, suggesting that dispensational teaching divides God's nature, fragments His message, and introduces conflicting standards of salvation. These objections typically centre around five key claims, as listed below—each aiming to discredit the legitimacy of rightly dividing the Word.

In this post, we will examine these claims carefully and demonstrate, through Scripture alone, that these arguments are unfounded. Far from undermining unity, dispensational truth clarifies God's consistent character, His unfolding gospel, and His sovereign plan across time.

Claims concerning the Unity of God and the Gospel

Dispensationalism divides Scripture into eras that allegedly change God’s requirements, fracturing the unity of His nature and voice.
It implies God operates differently in different dispensations, altering His will, law, and gospel — contradicting His immutability (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).
It creates multiple gospels (kingdom, grace, everlasting), which undermines the singularity of salvation and violates Galatians 1:8.
It separates the teachings of Jesus from the Church, making His commands seem irrelevant to believers today.
It treats the gospel as a system of timelines rather than a revelation of one Person — Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Dispensational Clarity concerning the Unity of God

One of the most common objections to dispensational truth is the claim that it divides God, fragments His gospel, and undermines His eternal nature. Critics often assert that dispensationalism teaches multiple ways of salvation, conflicting divine standards, and a fractured view of Christ’s teachings. But these accusations stem from a misunderstanding of what dispensationalism actually affirms. Far from dividing God, dispensational truth rightly distinguishes His dealings with mankind across time, while preserving the unity of His character, His gospel, and His redemptive purpose.

Let us examine and correct five common misconceptions.

The Quiet Glory of Forbearing: A Lesson from Paul’s Example

In 1 Corinthians 9:4-18, Paul lays out a compelling doctrinal truth: those who labour in the gospel have a God-ordained right to receive material support. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (v14). Yet Paul, though fully entitled to this provision, chooses to forbear it. Not out of pride. Not to prove a point. But to preserve the purity and power of the gospel’s witness.

This is not a command for all ministers to follow his exact path, but it is a lesson for every believer to consider the heart behind such a choice. Paul’s decision was not driven by fleshly effort or self-glory. He did not boast in his sacrifice, nor did he use it to elevate himself above others. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me” (v16). His motive was love. His reward was the privilege of preaching Christ without charge, that no earthly entanglement might hinder the gospel’s reach (v18).

A lesson for laymen

While you may not be called to full-time ministry, you are called to the same spirit of voluntary restraint when it serves the gospel. Whether in finances, relationships, or personal liberties, there may be times when choosing not to exercise a right becomes a quiet act of faith. Not to be seen. Not to be praised. But to protect the testimony of Christ and to walk in love toward others.

Paul’s Apostleship: Our Authority, Our Doctrine, Our Growth

In 1 Corinthians 9:1-2, Paul opens with a series of rhetorical questions that gently affirm his God-given role and the spiritual fruit of his labour among the Corinthians:

“Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”

Each question carries weight:

“Am I not an apostle?” – Paul was sent by Christ with divine authority and purpose. His apostleship was not self-appointed, nor conferred by men, but established by the risen Lord.
“Am I not free?” – He served voluntarily, not under compulsion or religious institution. His liberty in Christ allowed him to minister without earthly constraint.
“Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” – This was a requirement for apostleship (Acts 1:21-22). Paul saw the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), confirming his divine commissioning.
“Are not ye my work in the Lord?” – The Corinthians themselves were living proof of his ministry. Their salvation and spiritual growth were the fruit of his labour in Christ.

He continues:

“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 9:2)

Even if others questioned his apostleship, the Corinthians could not. They had personally benefited from his teaching, correction, and care. Their faith was the seal—the authenticating mark—of his apostleship. A seal confirms ownership, authority, and truth. Their transformation in Christ was the evidence that Paul was sent by God.

From Carnal to Spiritual (Part 2): Renewal Requires Forsaking

The process of renewing the mind is not simply about learning new things—it’s about letting go of the old. The carnal mind, as Paul teaches, is not just a sinful mindset; it’s the default operating system of every person born into this world. Before salvation, it’s all we know. And even after we’re justified, it remains our natural tendency unless we actively forsake it.

Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:7 (KJV):

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

That’s not a matter of effort or sincerity—it’s a matter of incompatibility. The carnal mind cannot please God. It doesn’t matter how well-meaning a believer is; if they’re still thinking with the old framework, they’re walking in opposition to the Spirit. And tragically, many believers are trying to live for God while clinging to the very mindset that opposes Him.

Renewal, then, is not just about acquiring biblical knowledge. It’s about forsaking the thoughts that once defined us. Isaiah 55 says:

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.”

That’s the heart of renewal. You don’t just add Scripture to your thinking—you replace your thinking with Scripture. You don’t just memorize verses—you surrender your old conclusions. You don’t just learn about heaven—you begin to mind heavenly things, as Colossians 3 instructs:

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

More Than the Cross: Rediscovering the Fullness of Paul’s Gospel

When we hear the word gospel, many immediately think of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4—the clear and powerful declaration that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. This is undeniably the core of our salvation message—the good news that justifies the believer by grace through faith. But is the gospel limited only to the cross event?

According to Paul, the gospel is far broader. It’s not only the entry point into salvation, but the whole scope of what Christ has accomplished for us and what God is now doing through the Body of Christ.

The Gospel: Not Just Good News, But the Whole Counsel of Grace

Paul refers to this as “my gospel” (Rom. 2:16; 16:25)—a divinely revealed message centered on the finished work of Christ but expanding far beyond Calvary.

He writes that his apostleship was given “according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” (Titus 1:1). This gospel includes:

The Examples of Paul and Titus to Boldly Proclaim the Gospel

A Call to Every Believer

Preaching is not exclusive to ordained ministers—it is the calling of every believer. Whether clergy or layman, every follower of Christ has the divine responsibility to proclaim the gospel with conviction and love. The world is filled with opposition, false teachings, and spiritual struggles, yet the gospel remains the power of God unto salvation. But for it to reach hearts, someone must speak it out.

Scripture reveals the lives of faithful men who endured immense challenges yet never wavered. Among them, Paul and Titus serve as shining examples of unwavering dedication. Their ministry was not one of ease, but of perseverance, facing obstacles that sought to silence the truth. And yet, they pressed on. Their faithfulness speaks to us today, calling us to rise, speak, and boldly proclaim God’s salvation in Christ.

Paul and Titus: Faithfulness in the Face of Hardship

Paul’s ministry culminated in two arrests in Rome, each bearing profound significance. His first imprisonment (AD 60–62) saw him under house arrest, still able to teach and encourage. Released after this period, he continued his labour for the gospel, strengthening churches and appointing leaders. This was when he penned his letter to Titus, urging him to establish order and appoint elders on the island of Crete, a land known for deception and moral corruption.

Unveiling the Mystery of 1 Corinthians 2:7

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." — 1 Corinthians 2:7

What Is the Mystery?

Biblically, a mystery is not unknowable, but previously concealed and now revealed. The wisdom Paul speaks of is God’s hidden plan of salvation, ordained before time began yet kept secret until revealed through him. Some aspects of this mystery include:

The incarnation and resurrection of Christ (1 Timothy 3:16).
The inclusion of Gentiles in salvation (Ephesians 3:6).
The believer’s union with Christ (Colossians 1:26-27).
The future glory prepared for God’s people (Romans 16:25).

Paul speaks of God’s wisdom in a mystery, a truth hidden for ages but now fully revealed through Christ and His work on the cross. This mystery is the foundation of our doctrine, a revelation that goes beyond worldly wisdom and calls believers into a deeper understanding of God’s eternal plan.

Why Was the Mystery Hidden?

Paul’s Example in Faithfulness and Commitment to God

In times of uncertainty, fear, or opposition, our faith is tested. The Apostle Paul stands as a powerful example of unwavering commitment to the Lord, walking by faith and not by sight. As he prepared to journey to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary trip, fellow believers warned him of the hardships he would face—persecution, imprisonment, and possibly death. Yet, his heart was set on fulfilling his calling, not deterred by fear but strengthened by his deep conviction in God’s purpose for his life.

Warnings Before Jerusalem

Paul was no stranger to suffering for the sake of the gospel. In Acts 20:22-23, he declares to the Ephesian elders that he is "bound in the spirit" to go to Jerusalem, fully aware that bonds and afflictions awaited him. Despite this knowledge, he remains steadfast, saying, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:24). His determination was not reckless but rooted in a profound trust in God’s plan.

May God Have Mercy on Your Soul: An Expression of Ignorance

As I watched a funeral on TV, I heard the minister say the following, "Rest in peace <person's name>, may God have mercy on your soul." Those words stuck with me and the more I thought about them, the more I was struck by the absolute ignorance embedded in this statement—an ignorance that disregards the foundational truth of the gospel and the finished work of the cross of Christ. It revealed how tradition and empty expressions continue to be spoken without thought, maintaining a cycle of religious negligence rather than biblical accuracy. This phrase, like others that I list at the end of the post**, have become a customary utterance, mindlessly repeated without questioning its meaning or validity in light of God’s revealed truth. Seeing this, I felt it necessary to bring attention to not only this statement but others also, that persist as vain customs, promoting human imagination rather than biblical reality. Words carry weight, and when they contradict the truth of Scripture, they must be identified and dismissed as meaningless rhetoric—mere traditions of men that veil the absolute authority of God’s Word.

This article serves as a call to recognize such errors and return to the certainty of sound doctrine, particularly the gospel of God's grace as taught in Paul’s epistles.

The Hollow Tradition of a Fruitless Expression

"May God have mercy on your soul."

Adorning the Gospel: Living a Life That Reflects the Word of God

The concept of "adorning the gospel of Christ" invites every believer to live in such a way that their lives amplify the beauty, value, and majesty of God’s Word. It is a call to let our actions reflect the transforming power of the gospel—not through our own strength but through our submission to the influence and direction of God’s Word within us. As Paul’s doctrine teaches, the lives we live in obedience to God’s truth can make the doctrine of our Saviour attractive, inviting others to see the glory of Christ through us.

What Does It Mean to Adorn the Gospel?

The word "adorn" carries a rich meaning. Derived from the same root as the term for "cosmetics," it implies arranging something to enhance its natural beauty and order. When we adorn the gospel, we showcase its beauty through the way we live, much like a jeweler arranging precious gems to display their brilliance. The beauty of the gospel is inherent, but our lives can reflect and magnify it, drawing others to Christ.

Paul emphasizes this principle in his instructions to bondservants in Titus 2:9-10. Through three key lessons, we learn how to adorn the gospel:

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