Spurgeon on the Gospel

“We testify that Christ is able to change man’s nature, and then good fruits will come as a matter of course. But I am afraid that in many Sunday-schools the children are taught a different doctrine, somewhat after this fashion: ‘Now, dear children, be very good, and obey your parents, and love Jesus, and you will be saved.’ That is not the gospel, and it is not true. Often do I hear it said, ‘Love Jesus, dear children.’ That is not the gospel. It is ‘Trust Him–believe.’ Not love, but faith is the saving grace, and that love of Jesus of a sentimental kind, which does not spring out of faith in Him, is a spurious emotion, a counterfeit of love, not at all the love of God, shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. The root of the matter is, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shalt be saved;’ and that is the gospel for a child of two years of age, and the gospel for a man of a hundred. There is only one gospel for all that are born on the face of the earth–‘Believe in Jesus.’”

Exposing Error: is it Worthwhile?

Dr. Harry Ironside was a well-known evangelist and preacher at the Moody Memorial Church from 1930-48.  His essay entitled “Exposing Error: Is It Worthwhile?” tackles the topic of pointing out doctrinal errors within the professing Christian church.  Sometimes I catch myself wondering if spending time on exposing error is worthwhile, after all, it’s so much more pleasant to focus on the positive.  In this essay, Dr. Ironside reminds us that it is our duty to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).  Most importantly, he encourages us to be firm on the truth, but to speak the truth in love:  “This does not imply harsh treatment of those entrapped by error quite the opposite. If it be objected that exposure to error necessitates unkind reflection upon others who do not see as we do, our answer is: it has always been the duty of every loyal servant of Christ to warn against any teaching that would make Him less precious or cast reflection upon His finished redemptive work and the all-sufficiency of His present service as our great High Priest and Advocate.” It’s important to speak the truth, but to speak it in a way that does not betray our ultimate aim--to share the good news of the gospel with people who are lost without it.  Dr. Ironside’s biography is also well-worth reading.

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Together for the Gospel

Printed below are the articles of faith from the Together for the Gospel conference recently concluded in Louisville, KY.  This incredible list of affirmations and denials should serve as the benchmark by which the authentic Christian faith of the Bible is preached, taught and practiced.  As John MacArthur said, it will be just as interesting to see who signs this statement as who does not.  If a denomination or church is uncomfortable endorsing these articles, we should think twice about whether the gospel is really at the center of their faith.  The original statement is authored and signed by four prominent evangelical leaders, Ligon Duncan III, Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney and R. Albert Mohler. The hope of these men of faith is that many believers will sign their names to the document, thereby affirming the pure and authentic gospel message.  We agree wholeheartedly with this statement and pray it will awaken a recovery of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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