The divisive gospel

Many people have a one-sided concept of Jesus Christ. They see Him as a great individual and a wonderful man. They see His compassion with those whom He healed and His compassion with all those whose sins He forgave. Jesus was a loving, compassionate Savior (Acts 10:38). But there was more to our Lord and His work than doing good.

His work as our Savior meant that He had to die on the cross for our sins. In dying on the cross for our sins, He instituted a new authority and a new way back to God (Matthew 5:21-48; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). This was called the gospel or the good news. And while it was good news of the gracious provision of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, it also was a condemnation of unrighteousness.

For this reason, the gospel can certainly be divisive. When it exposes deeds of darkness, those who practice such deeds will despise the gospel (John 3:19-20). Matthew 10:34-36 says, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

No one can be saved without obedience to the gospel (Romans 10:13).  However, one must realize that the gospel is divisive. When one obeys and faithfully proclaims it, they may very well have many who turn against them.

Kyle Campbell