Romans 16.25-27 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Many Christians have a fetish for pet doctrines. These pet doctrines tend to overshadow the gospel itself. These pet doctrines major on minor issues of personal likes or dislikes. The church is called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross for our sin, His burial, bodily resurrection from the dead and ascension to the right hand of The Father. We are not to preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus.
But we are living in very strange days, beloved. There are many believers in Jesus who are bent on “reconverting” their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to their “brand” of Christianity. You would think that the gospel was, “Repent and become Reformed or Pentecostal or, well, you get the idea.
Beloved, are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Preach the gospel to the lost. Not your favorite preachers “theological and philosophical” approach to reaching “contemporary sinners?!” Preach the gospel. The gospel alone is the power of God unto salvation.
Secondly, seek to build one another up in Christ without seeking to proselytizing them to your biblical persuasion of understanding. I see more Christians evangelizing fellow Christians these days. They are seeking to “convert” the converted to a philosophy of ministry according to their favorite teacher or preacher. Without even noticing it, they become self appointed spiritual police. They measure how others follow Christ or “do church” by their pet “ism”.
Beloved, obedience to the faith is simply submission to Christ, and submission to Christ in day to day living is much bigger any of our denominations or creeds or pet isms. Follow Jesus with all of your heart. Serve Jesus. Preach Jesus. Live for Jesus beloved. Be holy for Jesus. Pray like He taught us to pray. Love like He showed us. When any pet “ism” about Jesus becomes our gospel or more thrilling than Jesus Himself, Jesus has been supplanted by our ism and we have lost our way. To God only wise be glory, through Jesus Christ for ever Amen.
