John 3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
2 Corinthians 5:19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
The Gospel is Good News and Jesus made it possible. He said "I came to give to give life and life more abundantly. The gospel simply put is salvation from sin. The word salvation comes from the word sozo ...
- to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
- to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
In Hebrew, it comes from yasa (to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver, set free)
I often see preachers looking quite angry when they preach about sin, as if their anger will change the sinners heart. An often used cleche is "love the sinner but hate the sin", so they go after the sin with the assumption that by doing so, they are loving the sinner.
Preaching hard against sin does not change a sinful heart nor does it stop people from sinning. The truth is even the world famous ministers today are capable of sinning and in fact sin often. We cannot categorize sin into big or small sin. There are 18 works of the flesh and if we yield to them, we are in sin. But their are nine fruits of the Spirit that are the antidote to the 18 works of the flesh.
The bible says "Galatians 6:8 "For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.. "
So the key is not to make people feel guilty because of sin, but to introduce them to the life changing power of God and to help them walk in a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, so that He can convict them of sin, righteousness and judgement and be their teacher, comforter and guide.
There is no "one size fits all" Every person on earth faces challenges and temptations and each has strengths and weaknesses. But there is only ONE who understands them perfectly because He looks at the heart and not the shortcomings. People can hit the altar dozens of times, but without the Power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they remain weak and open to temptation.
That is why the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are so important. They are Heavens link to humans on earth and provide us with edification, exhortation, comfort. But most importantly, they must be accompanied with the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
Paul said 1 Cor. 2:4 "I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; ..... Vs 4 "And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power, a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them]," 1 Cor 2:1 and 4 Amplified.
It was not his lofty words and human philosophy and wisdom the changed the Corinthians. It was the "demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God" operating in him and through him that persuaded them.
There has come such a shift in the morals of this world and people are living their lives with all sorts of immoral things that bring self gratification. More now that ever, will we need the intervention and demonstration of the Power of God in the lives of believers in order to counter the onslaught against the minds of those who love the Lord. The power of God that sets men and women free from the yoke of bondage of sin.
The answer to the moral darkness of our generation is not louder condemnation, stricter rules, or greater human effort. It is a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
When believers learn to walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit begins to replace the works of the flesh, and lives are changed from the inside out. The Gospel is not merely a message about forgiveness; it is the power of God that brings salvation, healing, restoration, deliverance, and new life.
Our calling is to preach Christ, to love people as He loved them, and to demonstrate the reality of His Kingdom through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It is His fire that purifies the heart, His wind that blows away the fog of deception, and His living water that refreshes the weary soul.
Let us point people, not to religion, guilt, or human performance, but to Jesus Christ, the One who still saves, heals, restores, delivers, and fills every hungry heart with His life. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17), and that liberty is still transforming lives today.
Gil Howard-Browne
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