Yesterday, I shared the Gospel with a person on here. As many of you know, I have a Gospel presentation that is quite long - there's a reason for that. I want to be thorough and cover all the major points when talking about salvation, because it is absolutely the most important decision anyone on this earth will ever make. That decision determines where you will spend all of eternity. That is forever and ever. And ever. I don't take this lightly, nor should anyone. And it should be an informed decision, with each person considering all the facts carefully.

Jesus said in Luke 14:25-34

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"

So here's the issue: I am sometimes accused of being unloving, judgmental, etc. because my Gospel presentation is straight to the point and in your face. It confronts a person's sinful life and uses the Law to prompt their heart to repent of their sins and trust in Christ. I care about a person's destiny, as should all those who name the Name of Christ.

"But Chuck, can't you soften it up a bit? Can't you just tell them 'Jesus loves them' and leave it at that?"

No. The following is a short video that explains why. For those who would rather read it, a transcript is below the link.


Bold Preaching - Is It Unloving?

This world is not used to seeing believers boldly proclaim their faith publicly, and it can seem offensive at first, so complaints from unbelievers should be expected. But surprisingly, we sometimes get complaints from Christians as well. They say “You’re being unloving”, “You’re pushing people away” and “Jesus wasn’t like that.” Well, to them Jesus is this gentle, meek and mild lamb who never would have raised his voice or said anything offensive. They seem to have missed some of what He said.

Jesus was loving and kind, more than any man. But He also said things like this:

“Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape the condemnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33)”,

“Do not think I have come to bring peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)”,

“If you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)”,

“You are of your father, the devil. (John 8:44)”.

Jesus warned His disciples that men would hate them for the things they would preach. The truth is, far from being inoffensive, Jesus so offended the religious leaders of His time that they ultimately crucified Him for the things that He said.

It is not our goal to be offensive. But the open proclamation of the gospel is ALWAYS offensive to those who love their sin. If we love them as Christ loved them, we won’t lower the standard to spare their feelings; we will lift it high to help them see how terrible their offenses are in the eyes of Almighty God. That His wrath abides on the guilty, who will be judged and punished in the Lake of Fire forever.

When people understand the true nature of their crimes, then and only then can they understand the true love of God, who gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in their place so they could go free. It is the knowledge of our sin and understanding the punishment we deserve that makes the grace of God so amazing.

Yes, some people will get upset with the message and the messenger; but others will thank you for caring enough to preach the truth. John Wesley did a bit of preaching in his time, and according to him, when you preach your hearers should either get angry or get converted. Let’s stop worrying about pleasing men and start pleasing God by preaching the Gospel Biblically!