Central Truth

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."  (Eph. 2:8-9, NIV)

Reflections

I remember over thirty years ago, in college, when I first accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Though I had attended a church with my mom and siblings, everything seemed completely new to me. I had never read the Bible before. 

While in college as a brand new believer, I came in contact with a cult that was visiting our campus. At the time, I was very naive. I attended some of their meetings and became convinced that I needed to be baptized as part of the requirements for salvation. As I shared my concerns with other believers, I felt led to stop meeting with this cult. Eventually, I made the decision to be baptized in a local church surrounded by like-minded believers with the conviction that it was out of obedience to Christ’s command, rather than out of a necessity for my salvation.

The members of that cult had succeeded in twisting the Word of God. They made me believe that something in addition to God’s undeserved favor (grace) was necessary for my salvation. That’s why I’ve found it so essential to study God’s Word for myself. I’ve also found it helpful to be involved in Bible studies and a church where God’s Word is taught as authoritative, inerrant, and inspired.

Paul ran into false Christians who were trying to force circumcision as a requirement for salvation, which he “…refused to give in to them for a single moment.” What was his reason? He wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message, which is justification by faith apart from the works of the law.

“We must remember that God does not measure persons by their public reputation, but by their response to the gospel. We must not be afraid to do the same. I once heard an artist say, 'Great works of art, "the originals," are not judged by us; we are judged by them.' Similarly, the gospel is not judged by great leaders; great leaders are judged by it.”  (G. Walter Hansen)

Discussion Questions

1. Under what circumstances have you been tempted to back down when the pure truth of the gospel is being compromised? 

2. If you have faced such a situation, how have you handled it?  Do you think you handled it as God would have you handle it? Why or why not?

3. Read Isaiah 8:14-15 and Matthew 21:42.  Meditate on these Scriptures.  How do they relate to preserving the truth of the gospel message?