The Thing Most Needful

THE THING MOST NEEDFUL

The predominant focus from pulpits across the nation and the world is to put parishioners under the yoke of the law. Once the mortal sins are thoroughly flogged, then the pastor begins to scold the seemingly unimpeachable congregants for more venial sins, such as sloth in study, prayer, church activity, or failing to support the youth, or the latest building program. No one is spared and everyone feels better when they leave because of the conviction they now feel and a fresh resolve to do better. Wash, rinse, repeat, wash, rinse, repeat, wash, rinse, repeat.................

It is simply unheard of in the modern pulpit to comfort the audience through the preaching of the gospel. The gospel is not preached in these congregations simply because the typical pastor does not know, nor understand the gospel of Christ's finished work. Likewise, if he did understand and preach anything approaching the gospel of free and Sovereign grace, in Christ Jesus, the average congregation would tar and feather him post haste. The finished work that Christ actually accomplished on the behalf of those he represented, free of any conditions, in any measure, is hated by those who must seek to please God through their faithfulness, morality, or activity. The natural man simply must find some ground of merit within himself whereby God is more readily inclined to love him over his fellow man; especially wicked and evil men.

To hold that the child of God is presently viewed as the righteousness of God in Christ as is so plainly stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, is strange fire to the average pulpiteer. A flawless righteousness, wrought in Christ, on behalf of each one he represented, in which God himself cannot find fault, is the very heart of the gospel. That this righteousness is the present abiding state of all of God's elect is indeed good news and a great comfort to sinners who find no strength in themselves. Christ is the sinner's Sabbath rest and God, through Christ has made every single one he represented holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. (Colossians 1:21-22)

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (EMPHASIS - kd) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

The law can do nothing but condemn. There is nothing in the law that is life giving. The only hope is to be found in another, who is eternally perfect and holy. (Philippians 3:9)

The child of God is dead to the law, for he died in Christ, his representative Substitute, on Calvary, (Romans 7:1-6) therefore the law can extract no price nor penalty from God's Elect. They are blessed and holy (Revelation 20:6) and forever accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) This stands in Stark contrast to those who intend to approach a thrice holy God in the fig leaf covering of their own hands who will ultimately be utterly consumed. (Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 20:11-15)

If your preacher gives lip service to grace and then spends the bulk of his time telling you what you need to do to please God, or be a better Christian, or build a better church, you need to run, not walk away from that place. None of that has the slightest relationship to the gospel.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The gospel is glorious and is the ONLY hope for sinners and what a marvelous hope it is. A true gospel preacher has no directive to preach anything else.

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

- written by Kenny Dyess, via his Facebook page