Many people I have met happily say they are Christians until you ask them what they mean. Whenever we question what they mean about being saved, many point us to things like; He wakes them up, provides for them, they prayed Him not to die, they are not sick and their lives are just okay. Their evidence of being saved is seeing their life going on as they will. It is based on the circumstances. This kind of health and wealth gospel is very popular.
In these people, the problem of their sin, judgment to come, the wrath of the Holy and Just God, and the death of Christ to pay for sin is alien to them. This is because, they were called up by a certain preacher, who had probably not preached Christ in the sermon to make a decision and accept Christ in their heart. In wooing them, he may have mentioned what life in Christ might be; no sickness, no disappointments, no suffering, etc. They, having seen their current life going on well, just think they are saved. Their salvation is not from the wrath to come but from sickness, poverty and suffering.
Sadly, the death of Christ on the Cross and the salvation offered through His blood has totally nothing to deal with this experience. Man is a sinner-he is a rebel against God, naturally determined to serve sin and his pleasures like a slave. He hates God and has no little love for Him. God is just and Holy- He must punish sin in hell and can’t set His eyes on the wicked. By His love and mercy, He send His son, Christ Jesus who has paid the debt we could not pay. He made him who was without sin to be sin for us so that we may become the righteousness of God. Salvation is from the wrath of God by God Himself to His glory. Salvation is by grace alone through Faith Alone. Those who believe in Christ Jesus shall not perish because Christ has paid their debt of sin.
The gospel is not about the vain glory elements of this world. Sickness and death and poverty are not what Christ came to conquer. Philippian Church was poor and Paul’s friend was sick nigh to death. It is what Christ did on the cross, it is not what you think.
Denis Musembi
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