The Gospel of God's Grace

Introduction

The following article on making the Gospel of God's Grace clear and plain is taken from chapter 11 in Satan and His Plan of Evil by Keith R. Blades. Upon receiving numerous comments from readers concerning how important they found that chapter to be, it was suggested that it be published separately in booklet form in order to reach a greater audience. This having been done, our desire is that the issues set forth herein may convict the hearts of more Christians about the need to preach the Gospel of God's Grace clear and plain. The original article has been slightly edited and expanded for this publication. If you have not read the book Satan and His Plan of Evil, ordering information is in the back of this booklet.

One of the great honors of God's grace Christians possess is the privilege of being "instruments of righteousness unto God." In view of who God has made us to be "in Christ," we are able to "live unto God." God has constituted us "servants of righteousness," creating us "in Christ Jesus unto good works." As such, God has enabled us to serve Him. At the same time God has made it possible for Himself to utilize us in the things He is doing, both now and in the "ages to come." For this cause we are not only exhorted in Scripture to no longer continue in sin, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, but we are also exhorted to be "always abounding in the work of the Lord" and to function as ones who are privileged to be "labourers together with God." God has some specific things that He is doing in this dispensation of His grace and we are privileged to be used by Him as He accomplishes them. One of the most precious aspects of "the work of the Lord" that we can be involved in is that of being "an ambassador for Christ." As ambassadors we are entrusted with the Gospel of God's Grace and privileged to speak it "in the behalf of Christ." The Apostle Paul understood and appreciated this and expressed it to the Corinthians.

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (II Corinthians 5:20-21)

As ambassadors we are privileged to represent the Lord Jesus Christ here in this world. However, as such, we are also entrusted with the faithful proclamation of the message God wants made known in this world - i.e. the "word of reconciliation"; the Gospel of His Grace. Faithfulness is an absolute necessity for an ambassador. For an ambassador does not represent and speak for himself, but for another. In our case we stand "in Christ's stead" and we are expected to faithfully speak the Gospel of God's Grace. Paul declared his understanding of this responsibility to the Thessalonians.

"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." (I Thessalonians 2:3-4)

The need for faithfulness to the message is all that much more important when we realize that the Adversary - Satan - is active in seeing to it that the Gospel of God's Grace is opposed, and this by means of perversions of the gospel. Satan has his own ministers actively engaged in preaching his false gospels, and this should come as no surprise. However, propagating his false gospels through his own ministers is not all that he wants. He also seeks the cooperation of careless ambassadors for Christ and desires to enlist them in his cause. And, unfortunately, frequently he suceeds in doing so. All too often Christians are guilty of unwittingly perverting the Gospel of Christ. Instead of making the Gospel of God's Grace clear and plain, they pervert it through carelessness in what they say. The message they communicate is one of works for salvation, instead of the issue of salvation by grace through faith. This is done especially through the use of numerous gospel cliches, which, though commonly used, in truth distort the issue of faith in Christ alone and actually demand works for salvation. Hence, through carelessness, the message that is preached is not the Gospel of the Grace of God in truth. It is a perversion of the gospel - and this from one who is an ambassador for Christ. Instead of being faithful to the salvation message committed to our trust, a careless Christian can actually cooperate with Satan in his opposition to the Gospel of God's Grace. This is what this booklet is about. May it help deepen your appreciation for the privilege God has given you in making you an ambassador for Christ. But most of all, may it convict you of the need to be faithful to the Gospel of God's Grace and, as you proclaim it, to Make it Clear! Make it Plain! - Keith R. Blades