The Gospel of Christ
One of my favorite Bible verses has always been Romans 1:16 which says,

“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.”

As is true with so many other Scripture passages, the reading of this verse should not stop here, but continue on to verse seventeen which says,

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

In verse sixteen we see the power of God bring two groups of people together to form a third; i.e. the Church (Christians, the bride of Christ). This third group of people on earth is formed via the acceptance of the Gospel of Christ by those who put their faith in Jesus and are saved by the grace of God.

Before Abraham there was one group of people on earth, the Gentiles (Greeks). Then God chose Abraham to form a second group of earthly people called the Jew (Israel). Then Jesus came and called to Him a people for His name, the Christians, the third group.

Any person can be a part of this third group of people, but only if they come through Jesus.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

No person who is so honored to be called a Christian should ever be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Why? The answer is in verse seventeen which tells us this Gospel contains the righteousness of God and it is revealed to us from the moment we are saved to the time we leave this earth.

What is the Gospel in a nutshell? It is “Jesus.” He is the Gospel, and it is in Him we are saved by faith and we live day to day by faith. How could we ever be ashamed of the One who took our penalty upon Himself and saved us from eternal damnation?

Powerful words are spoken by the Apostle Paul in his last letter, just before his death, to his young protégé Timothy.

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

Notice that he tells Timothy to not be ashamed of the Gospel (“the testimony about our Lord”) and to not be ashamed of him, the Lord’s prisoner.

Paul continues by saying that we are called to live a holy life because of God’s purpose for us and His grace provided us. Paul always proclaimed the Gospel of Christ and this is why he was suffering. “Yet this is no cause for shame.” Why is that? Because he knows Jesus, and he knows that everything Jesus has promised is as good as “already in the bank.” He knows his Lord will welcome him home with honor.

Why is it that so many Christians in America do not share the Gospel with others?

Are we ashamed? How can a true Christian be ashamed to talk about Jesus? That just does not make any sense.

Are we insecure? Are we afraid we may “mess up?” Listen carefully. We are told to share the Gospel. That is all. Now why is that? It is because only God can save anyone. The Holy Spirit will take our bumbling efforts and use them for the glory of Christ. We cannot convince someone to come to Christ. Only the Spirit of God can draw someone to Christ. So we need to be doing two things:

1. Share the Gospel.
2. Let God do the rest.

Are we concerned that someone may laugh at us, or make fun of us? They may think less of us? We may lose a friend? What is so bad about any of that?

Jesus was laughed at. They made fun of Him. They thought less of Him. He lost many “friends.” He was beaten then crucified naked upon a Roman cross for all to gaze upon. He wasn’t ashamed of us. How can we ever be ashamed of Him, when He went through so much for us? How can we ever be ashamed of Him, when He forgave us all our sins and gave us so much of Himself and all that is His?

Christians, let us mark this day with a rallying cry to never be ashamed of the One Who was never ashamed of us. Let us encourage each other as we see the day approaching of His return.

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:16)

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

 

The Wrath of God
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

When God destroyed the world with a flood, He first removed Noah and his family from danger. When He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, God removed Lot and his family from danger. These two families were not under condemnation because they walked in the Spirit (except for Lot’s wife). When God pours out His wrath during the Tribulation, He will first remove His Bride, the Church.

God promised to never destroy the world again by water. He reminds us of His promise every time we see a rainbow in the sky. However, He has also promised that He will one day destroy the world by fire. That day is quickly coming upon the world at large. First, it will be a day of great Tribulation, seven years of hell on earth. One thousand years later, “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:7)

All those who have been saved through faith in Jesus will be saved by God’s grace. All the saints, both Old and New Testament, will never suffer condemnation or the wrath of God.

The word “wrath” is mentioned 198 times in the KJV and usually refers to God’s wrath.

John the Baptist had this to say about God’s wrath:

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7)

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

In the book of Revelation God’s wrath is mentioned at least ten times: 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:10: 14:19: 15:1; 15:7; 16:1; 16:19 and 19:15.

God’s wrath is not a heavenly tantrum as some try to indicate. When you get right down to where the rubber meets the road, God’s wrath is divine justice required by God’s law. Whether we are talking about God’s Law or man’s law, law is to be obeyed but if not obeyed, requires judgment. The difference between God’s Law and man’s law is that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). There is always judgment if the law is not obeyed. (If man were as judicial with his law as God is with His, we would have far less crime than we do today.)

If it were not for John 3:16 (et al.) we would all suffer God’s wrath and Romans 8:1 above would not apply to any of us. Thanks to Jesus, we who call upon His name are not condemned, because He suffered our condemnation. He took our punishment that the Law provides; death. Thanks to Him, we who are His are not under the Law.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Romans 6:14-15)

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18)

It is very clear that the Church will not suffer God’s wrath during the seven year period of the Tribulation. Jesus will remove us from this earth prior to the Tribulation. The Church age will end at the Rapture. Remember, all those saved in the Church age are not under the Law and, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:9)

Neither will His own stand before Him to be judged at the White Throne judgment and be cast into the Lake of Fire.

God’s Word is very clear that His wrath only comes upon those who are not His. The entire world was destroyed except those who were His at the flood. All of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities were destroyed except those who were His. During the Tribulation, God’s wrath will come down upon those who have never come to Him through Jesus. Even then, He will save those who will call upon Jesus.

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6)

Every person who rejects salvation through Jesus will be judged by the Law, and the punishment is always death (Romans 6:23).

If you are still wondering if the Church will go through the Tribulation (although I don’t know why), keep in mind that Jesus is coming as a bridegroom for His bride at the Rapture. Ask yourself, and be honest, from everything the Bible says about Jesus, would He ever pour out wrath upon those who He died to save, His bride? Why would He take our punishment from the Law if He were going to allow us to suffer punishment by the Law anyway?

Only the children of disobedience will suffer His wrath. That is the way it has always been throughout the Bible, and that is exactly how it will all end. I praise God that Jesus took my stripes, and that by His stripes I am healed. I will never worry about His wrath, but instead enjoy His love and many promises.

Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html