The primary problem with most of what is proclaimed in churches today as the gospel is that it really isn’t much of a gospel.
The word “gospel” means good news, but most presentations of the gospel do not contain a whole lot of good news.
At least, not in the long run.
Most gospel presentations are mostly bad news.
Why?
Because they are missing the word “nothing.”
The word “nothing” is the missing word of the Gospel. To see this, let us quickly define the gospel the way it is often defined today.
What is the Gospel?
If I were to ask you, “What is the gospel?” you would likely respond with something that you read in a book or heard your pastor teach.
The gospel, according to many people, is the message that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and all we have to do to receive eternal life is believe in Jesus for it.
The gospel, for most people, centers around a few key words: God, sin, death, Jesus, cross, believe, eternal life.
Adding to the Gospel
While none of this is wrong, it just isn’t … complete.
Most people sense this, which is why, after a person believes in Jesus for eternal life, other well-meaning Christians come alongside that new believer and try to fill in the pieces.
After a person believes in Jesus for eternal life, the nagging question in their heart and mind is, “Now what?” People know there must be something more to this whole Jesus thing, but they are not sure what it is.
The tragic reality is that there are plenty of people and churches who are more than willing to fill in the pieces, but the pieces they provide do not come from the gospel of grace but from the rules of religion.
The missing pieces that often get added on to the gospel are not from God’s gospel at all, but are from the legalistic laws of man-made religion.
Where the “nothing” piece is supposed to go, religion adds all sorts of rules and regulations.
New believers are told to attend church, read the Bible and pray every day, get rid of sinful music and sinful activities and sinful speech, tithe faithfully, attend a Bible study, build friends with Christians, and so on. Along with this list of things new Christians must do, there is also a list of things to believe. New Christians must believe the Bible and everything written in it, and must not doubt a word of it. They must believe that God is always at work, even if everything goes bad. They must believe what the pastor says, and what the church tells them.
And on and on it goes.
Yet here is where the problem begins.
Most people have trouble with these lists of these behaviors and beliefs.
It is not that they don’t want to do or believe these things; the problem is they cannot.
The list of activities and behaviors that Christians are to be involved in is overwhelming. Most people cannot add daily prayer and Bible reading into an already busy life, let alone church services on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, a Bible study on Friday night, and an accountability group on Saturday morning.
As for sin, while most people can fix a few sins, they can’t fix all of them, and every time one sin gets “fixed,” a dozen more seem to sprout up.
Then there are all the strange things written in the Bible. Most people have trouble believing everything that is there. Was the universe really created in only six days about 6000 years ago? Did people live to be almost 1000? Did an axe head really float? And on and on it goes.
Eventually, what began as the good news of God’s love and grace becomes the bad news of duty, obligation, shame, fear, guilt, and failure.
The pieces of the puzzle which have been added to the gospel sound right and even biblical, but they rapidly cause the gospel to lose its luster and appeal.
The Solution to the Gospel Problem
The solution to this gospel problem is to recognize once and for all that there is nothing we need to do to earn, keep, or prove God’s free gift of eternal life. This is the beginning of the gospel, and if we get this wrong, the rest of the gospel unravels as well.
So what do you need to do?
Nothing!
No amount of good works before, during, or after the reception of eternal life can help you earn, prove, or keep your eternal life. This is square one of the gospel, and everything follows from here.
Want to learn more about the gospel? Take my new course, "The Gospel According to Scripture."
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The core of the Gospel is love and grace. The real good news, as I see it, is not being “saved from hell”, but having the opportunity to get to know the Father and allow Him to heal and shape my life.
You nailed it, Jeremy. Bring in the Inquisition!
Ha! Thanks. All of the comments have been pretty gracious!
I believe Jeremy has made a very accurate point. The moment I joined a church the list of things I was strongly pushed to do lines up exactly with what Jeremy listed but add years in leadership roles (to what end I now ask). Looking back 40 years (wisdom is always great in hindsight) I see me being very busy doing the Church’s list and Nothing else. Now I have thrown the list away and spend my time being relational with Christ and with others who need His grace and love. This to me now is the Gospel ie living on the edge of life with people who are trapped around their gates of hell. Isn’t that where Christ spent and spends His time? I enjoy Jeremy’s writings he holds a mirror up in front of us (Gods word in action) and encourages us to look into it and see if our image holds true….if not we can change it.
Grahame i agree with your view its not about doing more but about being in Christ i wonder if that has more to do with growing older i am in my 50s done the church things as well as you slow down you to tend to reflect on what is more important.brentnz
I think I would have had a different answer. I think the very first thing anyone should do after receiving God’s grace and forgiveness is prayer. And I don’t mean set aside and hour every morning or make sure you pray at every meal etc or Here’s how to pray properly. I mean just genuine talking to Jesus. I mean lay it all out like you a re talking to a friend. Tell Him your good and your bad. Tell Him your opinions, your feelings. However, wherever, whatever you feel fit at the moment just lay it out all to Him.
Instead of talking to myself, I started just talking to Jesus. I wish after I became saved this was fed to me. “Just talk to Him even if it feels like you;re talking to air.” I was taught”He is King and you bow in prayer.” and “Show respect and reverence.” Etc. Al sorts of religious stuff.
I know Jesus gave instructions on how to pray. I feel like He did that for people who didn’t know what to do. So He gave them a starting point. Jesus even advised do it alone. You don’t have to be in front of everyone saying poetic words of biblical wisdom to each request.
And I feel like those verses about rambling in your prayer are to make sure you are not trying to preach a show and show everyone had awesome a prayer person you are. You are not talking automated system and God will only respond if you say the right words.
This Master and Creator of the Universe and He wants to hear your words and your heart. Lay it. Yell it out. Give it all, or sometimes if you have nothing tell Him that. “God have nothing to say today. What do I say?”
When I am on my knees its because in that moment I felt real reverence. Not forced feelings because that pastor or speaker said so. Sometimes I come before Him with respect and request. Many times it just me in my car spouting out my ideas and thoughts to Him. Whether He answers directly by clearing my thoughts or I realize its a matter He will handle and I don’t need to worry about. Just talk to Him because he will be the closest person you will ever know.
Tacia you are a prayer warrior and prayer is central to our relationship to God as someone mentioned talking to God it should be natural as speaking to someone you care about.It doesnt have to be fancy it is from the heart and he understands.The holy spirit is there to comfort and the empower us when we feel weak or when we experience a break through.He is always there to encourage us and to support us in what ever we are going through.brentnz
Jeremy I agree its not about what we can do but all about what Jesus has done for us it is all about his grace not following mans laws or trying to please the pastor or the church.Be respectful for those in authority and show them Gods love work hard as for the Lord as you serve them and pray for them but dont try and please them.We no longer follow the ways of the world we live to please the Lord and worship him not man because that is idolatory.Thats why religion doesnt work we can do nothing to add to Gods grace.Grace is also not a licence to sin as some christians believe and God is not fooled if we do not repent and turn from our sin he doesnt hear our prayers if the intents of our heart are wrong.God listens to the humble and the repentent sinner or saint.The journey in following Christ is about how much do we want to follow Jesus to discover the abundant life and richs in Christ we must fully give him all our hearts and serve him wholehearted out of thankfulness for his grace and mercy towards us.brentnz
I don’t say this to be antagonistic but to make sense of it.
Perhaps Mr Myers could comment on the writing of the apostle Peter who wrote to believers that they should make every effort to add goodness to faith, add knowledge to goodness, add self control to knowledge ….etc.
Peter concludes that doing these things will make our election and calling sure.
Saying that believers need do nothing, might be confusing in the light of Peter’s writing.
Yes, I know that what I wrote here is a bit confusing. That’s why I’m teaching the online course on the Gospel … to carefully explain the freeness of grace and the role of good works and obedience in light of the gospel.
When Peter writes about calling and election, he is referring to our “vocation” or “job” within God’s family. Election does not refer to whether or not you have eternal life. I also write about this in my book, The Re-Justification of God.
Thanks Jeremy, I see what you mean.
Neville you are quite right it is a process of growing i dont believe Jeremy is saying we should sit there like a lump of clay and do nothing.But rather than doing something thinking that that will add to the work of Christ is pointless.We are expected to walk by faith but alot of what is expected from the church or others are dead works and are done because the church expects us to do them.The way around this is to say no just do what the Lord wants you to and please him put him first.That way you are still walking by faith and growing in Christ rather than wasting time just trying to keep something going that needs to die so that Christ can be elevated to the highest position.brentnz
This came as a breath of fresh air today. Today I woke up feeling bad, and wondering where I am with God. The last three “churches” I have been in, have been full of people meeting their own needs, but ignoring the disabled and their needs. I see that these “business organisations” which is what they are and their product is God, are like the golden calf worship. Bow down and worship our God and how abhorrent that is to God. I find these congregations tend to snub me when I refuse to bow down and worship what they do and uphold their man-made traditions. When you have struggled with sickness and disability, you really see things for what they are. Unless you conform, you are a nobody and your needs don’t count for much. I am not advocating rebellion. It seems more godly to exit with grace than to stay and sweat about it or strive with anyone, which Jesus did not advocate. He said: “leave them alone”. I am struggling to exit from religion because I feel on my own like Hagar, and that feels pretty scary.
Chris i think you have a gift of discernment and that is a gift that the Church can be edified it just needs to be appreciated my thought is seek Lord as to where he wants you to go so he can bless you Sounds like you havent found the right one yet.But youll know when you do. I think because of your walk that gives you alot of insight that can build others in there walk with Christ we all are strengthened in Christ in our weakness not our strength.God bless brentnz
Hi Jeremy,
Outstanding work! I must take this course! I had planned to
sign up at the Love level day on Thursday, but the car my son drives blew a head gasket and I hope to replace it before he returns from ministry school in CA in December. So I think I will just take this course and sign up at the Love level later.
I first believed God for justiufication and eternal life 41 years ago.
And I am I am certain of the truth of the statement often made by
my pastor Larry Ramirez to wit: “He won’t leave you as you are”.
And that is the point: when we believe God, He indwells us with His Spirit, by which we are sealed unto the day of redemption.
I believe that we should proclaim the only truly Gods News the world has ever heard and trust God to shape His children as he will.
The simple fact is that the presence if God’s love in us will transform
us. And I believe that the virtues that Peter, Paul, James and John describe are fruits of the Holy Spirit….results of His indwelling presence.
God’s purpose is and has always been to redeem those made in His image. Let us not thwart His purpose by adding requirements to His finished work.
Do I believe we can resist His leading, grow very little and be quite unhappy? Absolutely. Do I believe that it is God’s desire for us to choose to be His Disciples, keep our eyes on Jesus and thereby be transformed into His image? Absolutely. But I also believe that we should not detract from the the joy of salvation by adding anything to the simplicity of Gospel.
Grace, peace and much love,
Bill
I can understand all the filler/culture stuff that gets imposed on people as they integrate into a church, etc. A lot of those christian cultural things are superfluous. Going as far and saying nothing is needed after praying a sinners prayer seems over the top. I say that, because I disagree with the modern invention of the sinners prayer. We don’t see it in scripture. What we see in scripture are people like John the Baptist preaching “Repent! for the kingdom of heaven is near”
Jesus himself preached the same in Matt 4 “Repent! for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
That is a pretty good clue of where things need to start. Repentance.
In the Sheep and the Goats passage. The Goats think they are Sheep. But what does Jesus himself say to them? He lambasts them for their deeds or lack of deeds. Then He says to them, “Depart from me, ye lawless ones, into everlasting punishment”. Lawlessness is the definition of sin. Sin continued to have dominion in the lives of the Goats. They chose to do “nothing” else they didn’t want to do
So a lot of this sounds like antinomianism. Just pray the sinners prayer or the “good news prayer” and live the rest of your life however you want. Whatever is comfortable for you. You got the get out of hell free card. So if you enjoy immorality, tuck in, cause now you are untouchable and going to heaven to boot! Are you too lazy to discipline your flesh to seek God. No problem! You don’t have to worry about it
You have “nothing” else to do, but enjoy your sin for the rest of your life…afterall it’s all forgiven by Jesus, and you are an easy believer. Just ignore all passages in the bible that you wont be reading about turning away from sin, holiness, etc.
Salvation is not for people who want to continue in their sins
>Going as far and saying nothing is needed after praying a sinners prayer seems over the top.
I’m not convinced that Jeremy thinks saying a Sinner’s Prayer is either sufficient, or necessary.
That said, for the “instant convert at the big meeting on Saturday night”, where the decision based upon emotions, I think that Jeremy is spot on. Let the alleged convert learn about God, by asking what to read, and what to do, explaining that nothing is required. What the alleged convert does, is the choice of the alleged convert.
For the person who spends six or seven years (^1) in weekly Bible study, learning about Christ, before commiting to Christ, then Jeremy is also spot on, becuase the individual will have a good foundation upon which to start learning what the Bible teaches.
If the individual is a true convert, they will slowly adjust their life to living as Christ taught — if the congregation they attend allows/enables them to do so.
On second thoughts, how many people in a congregation in the United States today, would have be willing to spend five or more years studying the Bible, before deciding that Christianity was both true, and relevant to their life.
^1: Prior to circa 1950, missionaries considered that if they had any converts before that time frame, the Lord was really blessing their work. It wasn’t uncommon for the first convert to come fifteen to twenty years after the weekly Bible study meetings with the potential convert.
God says that HE writes His law on our hearts. The problem we have is that we don’t trust Him to do that. We feel it is our “job” to pound it into people’s heads. We need to step back and allow Him to do His part. What we do instead is to bombard people with what we think is best for them instead of letting them be. It’s a lack of trust in God’s ability, and it’s an over-protective parenting method.
We should just be there alongside them to love them unconditionally and answer their questions as they arise. Trying to “control” their journey and their time only repels people.
I pretty much agreed with most of what you have said and i think that the sinners prayer has been misused as a get out of Jail free card.A couple of things that people miss is that God is in charge.As soon as you offer yourself to God and accept Jesus Chris the holy spirit has liberty to work on you.Because he loves us he will discipline us so that we do repent of our sins.The downside of living a walk like that you are a hypocrite until you admit your sinfulness the holy spirit cannot help us because of our pride.The second part was you talking about disciplining the flesh personally you cant discipline that which is corrupt our hearts are deceitfully wicked we need new hearts no amount of effort on our part will transform our hearts that is the work of the holy spirit he changes our hearts so that we no longer desire to sin we would rather serve the Lord with all our hearts instead.brentnz
Oh God bless you Jeremy. What you have said is exactly true and it equals the beginning of freedom and individual relationship with God. What you described from the church equals control. I have come to learn that there are many churches using control because they fear that God cannot bring up His children without their strict methods.
I believe that “control” is anti-christ in it’s essence because if there is one thing in the history of the world that God has refused to do it’s to control people. Every word He has given us has required free choice.
Yes, control is a big problem! Wayne Jacobsen talks about “Cash, credit, and control.” These three things often cause problems in how we follow Jesus and invite others to do the same.
Yes, as Frank Sinatra put it: “I did it MY way”. And, by the way, God, you will bless it, won’t you, because I am doing it in Your name, all for you….. or are they? The Big Business machine. “Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it”. God will shake everything that can be shaken, and that which is man-made will crumble. A lot of what I see appears to spring from man trying to control. Charles Newbold looks at this problem in depth: ie religious idolatry.
What Jeremy has highlighted is just how much of our belief system has been influenced by church history and politics over 2000 yrs. The influence of Calvin, Constantine, Augustine and others on what we do, say and believe including old English translations of the bible have been masked by the mists of time. But we still follow what they said we had to do or else! Jeremy asks us to consider what did the early Christians believe and practice back before the above people put their finger prints on the churches belief systems. He asks what did Christ truly want us to do and what did the Jews and Apostles do and write. William Tyndale got close to the mark in his translation from Greek/German to English before King James got his hands on Tyndale’s bible and had it changed to suit his purposes (he as head and the laity in control). As Jeremy has said in his books look at scripture through the lens of Christ and you will start to see a different God to what the Church has painted ie A angry wrathful God demanding a sacrifice, where as Christ portrays love, forgiveness, compassion…….and action. Christ said when you see me you see the Father who is God.
Yes, so much influence from Greek philosophy and Constantinian power has crept into the church and theology, it is difficult to separate it out.
Hi Jeremy, nice read this, but I do not entirely agree with you on this (weird because as a Christian blogger myself, you are one of those I look up to).
Here’s what I think:
Eternal life (John 17:3) is a gift we receive upon believing in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, it is not earned.
After we’ve received Jesus (John 1:12) and gifted salvation as a result (Ephesians 2:8), what’s next is to grow and become “conformed to the image of His son” (Romans. 8:29) – (that’s actually why we are saved!) – and this conformity to His image is only possible through knowledge (Colossians 3:10).
The crowns (of glory, for instance, 1 Peter 5:4), however, are a different matter. Those are earned. They are rewards for the work the saint (saved individual) has put in.
Bottom line: we don’t do “nothing” after we’ve received Him, but we also do not live according to some man-made rules and regulations; rather we seek to know Him more in order to become more intimate in fellowship with Him, and consequently become more like Him (having His character and mind, Galatians 5:22-23).
Doing “nothing” after receiving the gift of salvation would amount to a waste of investment!
What we receive at new birth is His spirit, His nature (the real man is reborn!); but our minds remain “conformed to the world” (Romans 12:2); we then have to (using computer terminology) “re-programme” our minds to become like Christ’s. Doing that, we grow to become like Him (which in turn means we become more like our true selves as we are fashioned according to His image!).
The purpose of our calling: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:29.
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http://www.stillsmallvoiceblog.blogspot.com
Thanks for the words of encouragement. You are right, of course, but notice that I tried to carefully state that the “nothing” is in regard to earning, keeping, or proving our eternal life. Yes, obedience and faithful living are important (I get to this in my course), but NOT as a way to earn, keep, or prove your eternal life.
Michael “Jeremy said No amount of good works before, during, or after the reception of eternal life can help you earn, prove, or keep your eternal life. This is square one of the gospel, and everything follows from here.” My take on this is that the salvation gift is done finished no more to do on this matter. I have spent decades counselling Christians on this issue because they have a list they must to prove salvation, keep good in Gods eyes, always troubled by there inablity to be good enough to do this list often dropped on them by others. This is what Jeremy is alluding to I believe. What you are describing from my understanding is relational…deep relationship with Christ which changes us more and more. Where we are Christ like to other people through God the Holy Spirit.
Graeme well put God is more interested in our heart condition not on what we do i agree that along the way one of the enemys ploys is to distract christians from the path of following Christ to doing works.We need to be aware of this trap it a deception.These jobs arent works of faith but rather dead works that do not build up our lives in Christ or advance Gods kingdom that is where the emphasis should be aimed at otherwise we miss the mark,brentnz
Having been a (born-again) Christian for over 50 years, I appreciate Jeremy’s teaching very much. I find that the most vital change in me has been an increase in my personal relationship with Christ and a decrease in the need for approval, etc. from other Christians. I love other people but I get in trouble when I begin to need them in an unhealthy way. There is a fine balance required here, and I don’t always get it right.
I agree with Jeremy….Ephesians plainly states that:::::Ephesians 2:8King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…….if it is truly a gift the no amount of good works is need… we leave the rest to God as stated ::::::Matthew 6:33King James Version (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you……..I BELIEVE THE GOOD LORD WHO STARTED HIS WORK IN US WILL FINISH HIS OWN WORKS….
Jeremy,
please take in consideration these:
Mark 1:14,15 says: “[…], Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
In Greek for “gospel” is “evaggelion” (Evangile: ev=good/well, aggelion=proclamation /annunciation) meaning “well-message”.
A good / well message must contain also a good statement / affirmation / exposure. We say alot around what the Gospel / Evangile means except we do not talk of the content of the affirmation.
But it is “at hand” in the next verse: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand”.
This is really the best news. That we, the lost sinners, children away of the Kingdom of Father are now at hand with a great light (Isaiah 9:2), a wonderful surprise that is out of our thoughts, that is the Kingdom of God in which we can not enter but it comes nearer to us enabling us to jump in. What would be a greater Good News than that?
An for it is so great the news, we are to see our smallness, our lack of capacity in approaching the Holy place of the Kingdom of God and to repent of this.
And also to not neglect the veracity of this truth (said by the very mouth of the Lord) and to believe that Gospel.
That is what the astonished old Zechariah proclaimed in Luke 2:67-79 – a great song of joy!
What a great teacher you are Jeremy. I question the bit about ‘Jesus dying to pay the penalty for our sins ‘. Where does that come from? I have heard this over and over. Do you think it is biblical.?
Good article. Jesus plus nothing. God did all the work and there is nothing more to do. Obviously works of love for others happen as a result of our love for God but those are not to earn or pay for anything, they are a by-product of love of our Father. Religion has many thoughts that sound good and holy, but it has missed the true meaning of grace completely. Jesus plus nothing. Rest in His love and the grace He provided. Let the Spirit love others through you rather than demand the need of works to earn their way.
What an anointed writing Jeremy, full of wisdom from above.
I’m not sure your presentation is accurate, especially when I am reminded of what the apostle Peter said: “add to your faith.” Or, what Jesus says, “This is the work…believe,” and such commands given as “believe” or “have faith.” Or, even Paul said, “Work out your salvation…”
The problem is not that their are things we are required to do to be saved and to maintain to the end of those present life (Col 1:21-23), but perhaps that the relation between grace and faith is either misunderstood or not properly emphasized.
I’m not sure to say that we do absolutely “nothing,” which is the feeling I get from your article, doesn’t make sense to me when we are commanded to “believe,” something that we must do; God grants grace and once we allow it’s reception, we must follow-through and act. God gives grace to do, yet we must do it; God does bot believe for us or do what is right for us. Neither is faith or any works a matter of merit but all a matter of grace as both “unmerited favor” and “empowerment.
I’m just not sure that saying we do “nothing” (at, it seems you meant, “absolutely nothing,” which sounds more like the Calvinist view, which I never took as being your theological view) is entirely accurate itself and, perhaps, misleading.
I would think it would be more accurate to say that there is something that we must do to be saved and maintain it, but whatever it is, it is done “by grace through faith.”
Of course, i may have misunderstood your intent and it is difficult to explain one’s whole position in one short blog, nevertheless, this is understanding I got reading your blog here. If I misunderstood you, my apologies.
Salvation is a gift from God that you receive by faith. Once you get saved you become a new creature in Christ Jesus, baptized into the body of Christ, and indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit. There was nothing you could to save yourself except believe and receive His gift. Once you are saved He maintains your salvation.
True, once we are saved God maintains our salvation but “through faith.” Jeremy said in his twitter feed to me that “if ongoing works are needed, EL is not by faith alone,” but that is the common objection.
The Bible does not, as I read it, portray faith as a one-time act nor an automatic button pushed for salvation. There is one’s continued participation in the salvation process; and this process is by an ongoing grace administered through ongoing faith. Grace daily strengthens faith as faith is daily exercised through works that follow, works accomplished in the sphere of grace. God initiates. Faith responds. Grace responds to faith. Faith responds to grace, and so on; a circle of participation between God and the believer.
That does not mean that works saves. It does mean that one’s faith is characterized by one’s actions and identifies it as “saving” faith, or as James may word it, that is the faith that saves.
God does not maintain your salvation through faith (that doesn’t even make any sense). He maintains your salvation through His power. Once you believe the gospel He baptizes you into the body of Christ so that you are now united with Him. He places His Holy Spirit in you sealing you unto the day of redemption. He completes the work of salvation He began in you. You are preserved in Christ.
Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. There, s that frustration coming out again Jeremy me old son. But yeah. Nothing about covers it. After all. It is not us that lives, but jesus that lives within us. That sorta sounds like cliche talk. But it, s the truth. And that’s what really sets us free. We are just incapable of anything else. Much as we struggle with that conundrum. But good luck to others who think they can do better. Worth the watching. If any for entertainment value. And of course to empathise and be there for them and to give a hand picking up the pieces. Aidan.