PREACHING THE GOSPEL REQUIRES US TO ALSO PREACH AGAINST SIN

 

In my webinar on Friday (tomorrow), I will focus on the extent of the love of God. We need of this assurance that blesses us in so many ways. Therefore, Paul prayed that we would:

 

·       …know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

 

To “be filled with the fullness of God” is to be assured of His love for you. I need to remind myself of God’s love many times each day to combat my worries and the oppressive opinions of others.

 

However, I need to alert you of an associated danger. In our emphasis on God’s love forgiveness, and mercy, we might leave out God’s righteousness, His hatred and judgment of our sins. Some pastors even argue:

 

·       Since we have been forgiven once and for all, we shouldn’t be concerned about our sins. This concern is just bondage, fear, and legalism from which we have been set free.

 

They might even add that if we confess our sins, Jesus will forgive us. Therefore, there is no need to live a righteous life for our Lord.

 

Yes, when we truly confess our sins, we are forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9). However, confession must be accompanied by a sincere commitment to turn from our sins, or it is not a genuine confession:

·       …  “Return (repentance from sin) faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt (confession) that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. Return (repentance) O faithless children… (Jeremiah 3:11-14)

 

True confession and repentance, the commitment turn away from sin, are inseparable. We cannot have one without the other. Likewise, we should not preach the Gospel without preaching against sin and its consequences, as Jesus had done:

·       No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)

 

But isn’t salvation a free gift of God? Why then continue to preach against sin?

For one thing, sin is still an abomination against God. For another, if we trust God, we will try to do what he tells us to do – to avoid sin! If we don’t trust God, we will not seek to honor Him. A real faith is a tree that eventually bears good fruit. A bad tree will inevitably bear bad fruit and will not follow the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:15-19) to love Him (John 14:21-24). While bearing fruit does not save us, it is a necessary indication that we are a new creation in Jesus. Therefore, if we do not bear apples at some point, we are not an apple tree.