A DITCH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD

Today’s Bible readings are 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, & Proverbs 19:4-5

Romans 1:16-17

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. ¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Are you ashamed of the gospel? Are you frequently sharing it with other people? Do you have a hard time sharing the Good News with other?

I just got done talking to my daughter about sharing the gospel. When I asked her what it means to her to spread the “Good News” she told me to meant telling everyone you meet about God & His Word. What an awesome answer coming from a 7 year old.

When she heard me say that I was going to write the blog for the day, she said, “Daddy, I will help you write the blog.” So we are writing this blog together.

It is important for each of us to share the gospel. Even a 7 year old knows this. With such hope that comes from it, why wouldn’t we want to share it with everybody? Jesus is answer that you & I have found but He is the answer that millions of others are waiting to find. We are the ones that God wants to take the message to the streets.

Paul made a strong statement when he said that he was not ashamed of the gospel. There are many things about the gospel that he could have been ashamed of, considering his background as a Pharisee, but he knew that it was the power of God to save man. It must be preached if humanity is to be saved.

We can do a lot of things in an attempt to minister to others. But none of them are as effective as they could be if the gospel is failed to be preached.

1.      Feeding the hungry

2.      Clothing the naked

3.      Caring for orphans

4.      Caring for widows

5.      Medical clinics

6.      Outreaches

All of these are great things but without the GOSPEL there is no power in them to save!!! These things are all things that should be done, but they CAN’T do what God has designed the GOSPEL alone to do—SAVE PEOPLE!!!

I am glad that we do the different compassion ministries that we do. Many times they are the things that pave the way for gospel. They soften hearts so that in the right moment, when the gospel is preached, people will receive. This is what Paul was speaking about when he said:

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

⁶ I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. ⁷ It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. ⁹ For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.

All of these things work together if Christ stays in the center of our plans, BUT LETS MAKE SURE THAT THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

There is a popular opinion today that doing good is preaching the gospel. There is a hint of truth to that, BUT Jesus did more than just good things. He preached the gospel. Yes He demonstrated it with His actions of compassion toward lost humanity, but actions could only do so much. That is why he spoke & declared the Word. It was through the proclamation of the Word that power came to save, heal, & deliver!

The gospel is the power of God. When it is preached in the power of God is released with it. When all we do is acts of compassion then there is a void of the manifested power of God. This comes through PREACHING & TEACHING the gospel.

Let’s do our best to practice balance in these 2 areas. Remember, there is ALWAYS a ditch on both sides of the road. Let’s stay balance so we don’t end up in one of the ditches. Preach the gospel & live your faith through your actions—this is the model that Jesus left us. I choose to follow Him!

Pastor Richard Schlotter