GraceUncovered

Authors home articles Gracelife

GRACE BLOGS COLLECTION

The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt)

by

Chapter 9 (Excerpt from my book Knowing and Experiencing God)

The Unfairness of the Gospel

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth

which no human being could have searched out].”

Ephesians 3:8-9 (AMPC)

Today there are many people who are preaching what they call the gospel of ‘grace’ or the message of grace, and as a result, grace is defined in many ways. In some instances, the word ‘grace’ is used as an acronym for ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ One of the most common definitions used for grace is ‘the free, unmerited and unconditional favor of God.’

These definitions of grace are true and do explain some of the attributes of the grace of God.

However, the grace of God, as it is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is described by Paul as the grace entrusted to him to preach the unending, boundless, fathomless,

matchless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of the person of Jesus Christ Himself!

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul also said, “I do not frustrate the GRACE of God,” (Gal. 2:21).

The Amplified Bible reads like this: “[Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God….”

Galatians 2:21 (AMPC)

To ‘frustrate’ means ‘to thwart the success of,’ or ‘to limit, sabotage or undermine and invalidate the desired or intended results.’ Unfortunately, in many Christian circles today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been presented in a way that invalidates, limits and hinders the influence of God’s boundless grace.

Limiting and Hindering the Grace of God

One of the ways in which the influence of God’s boundless grace has been limited and hindered in the lives of many believers is the misconception that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that reveals God’s justice and fairness in dealing with man and his sin.

‘Justice’ is defined as ‘the treatment or quality of being fair and reasonable.’ And ‘fairness’ means ‘to be treated in accordance with the rules or standards’ or in other words ‘to be justly treated.’

This is the way that Christianity is perceived by many people in our world today —a religious group of people who worship a God who is all about justice and fairness.

As a result, this has become the approach that many people have when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe and expect the Gospel to be about justice and

fairness.

In the book of Acts, we find that Peter discovered that God does not deal with people according to what Peter viewed as just, right or fair. In order to understand Peter’s

surprised observation in Acts 10, we need to know what the popular beliefs were among the Jews at that time.

The Us and Them Mentality

The Jews had a very clear-cut doctrine concerning the Gentiles. They believed in what I would call an “us and them” theology.

The Jews believed that God favored them purely because they were Jews. They believed God’s favor, redemption and salvation is not extended to other nations or people

and that the Jews were entitled to favor, redemption and salvation purely because they were Jews or Israelites. The Jews believed that other people, such as the Gentiles, were

common or defiled and therefore excluded from any, and all of God’s blessing and favor.

But Peter was surprised to learn that this doctrine and theology of “us and them” was in error. He discovered that a man is not accepted, favored or blessed just because he is a Jew, nor is he excluded and cursed just because he is a Gentile.

This is the account of where God gave Peter a vision while he was resting on a roof top waiting for lunch to be served. Peter was a Jewish believer who at that time still had an ‘us and them’ mentality.

This is how the vision is described:

“And he saw the sky opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth. It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.” Acts 10:9-16

 

Immediately after Peter had the vision, men who were sent by Cornelius arrived at the house where Peter was residing and asked him to accompany them to Caesarea. Cornelius was a Gentile whom God had instructed to call on Peter to come to them and preach the Gospel. Peter agreed and accompanied them to Caesarea Philippi. When Peter arrived there, he was surprised to see the grace of God on Cornelius’ house, and this put the vision he had

into perspective.

This is Peter, speaking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles:

“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves are aware how it is not lawful or permissible for a Jew to keep company with or to visit or [even] to come near or to speak first to anyone of another nationality, but God has shown and taught me by words that I should not call any HUMAN

BEING common or unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.’” Acts 10:28 AMPC (emphasis mine)

And again, in Acts 10, verse 38, he goes on to say; “…Most certainly and thoroughly I now PERCEIVE andUNDERSTAND that God shows no PARTIALITY and is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS” —Acts 10:38 AMPC (emphasis mine)

The word ‘respecter’ means ‘an accepter of a face.’ The word ‘respecter’ used here denotes ‘the act of showing favor to anyone on account of rank, family or wealth.’ It means to show partiality, arising from any cause whatsoever. But this was the revelation that Peter had—that God is not a respecter of persons! This means, that day, Peter realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about us and them, and it is not about justice and fairness. God loves and accepts the sinner in the gutter as much as He loves and accepts the saint who has been faithfully attending church for 40 years!

Now, as long as we perceive the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be about justice and fairness in which God treats people according to what is right, just and fair, we will always

hear people say things like: “How can God allow the evil that is in the world to continue?” “Why does God let the wicked prosper? It does not seem fair.” “I did nothing wrong. Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” For that

matter we could also say this; “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

But is God not a God of righteousness, justice and fairness you may ask? Absolutely He is! But the question is not whether God is righteous, just and fair. The question is rather whether His dealings with man in and through the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ is about justice and fairness!

Because if we think about it, if justice and fairness is what you are looking for in the Gospel message, my friend, then “go to hell!” Now wait! Don’t close the book on me. I say that, because if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about God dealing with man according to what is right, just and fair, then according to what is right, just and fair, you and I should be in hell right now! God is a holy, a righteous and a just God. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a holy, righteous and just God’s love for fallen, broken, damaged people!

The writer of Hebrews in the first chapter says that God, in times past, has spoken to mankind through the prophets, revealing Himself to us “just in portions of truth,” or in other words, not the whole or complete truth. But now today God has spoken to us in and by His Son.

“IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things….” Hebrews

 

Who is the Son? The writer of Hebrews says, “…also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built,

operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect

imprint and very image of [God’s] nature…” (Heb. 1:2b-3a AMPC).

Also in Hebrews 2, the writer makes this statement: “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closerattention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.” —Hebrews 2:1 (AMPC)

What does it mean when the writer of Hebrews said, “Since all this is true?” Since it is true that God has shown us who He really is through His Son Jesus Christ, and He has shown us who we are, and shown us the value that He has for man, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to these truths!

“If the message given through angels, the law given to them by Moses, was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate just and adequate penalty, how shall we escape appropriate retribution (not punishment but the consequences of neglecting this truth of salvation and restoration of our true identity) if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation as is now offered to us? Hebrews

2:3 AMPC

I was in Florida ministering at a church when I had a discussion with a pastor’s wife after I had shared a small portion of what I’m writing about here in this book. When we had dinner that evening, she sat down and brought out a little list that she had written down.

She said, “Now, let me just get this straight so I can understand something. Are you saying …?” And she started going through all the reasons she felt were unfair about the way I preached the Gospel. And basically, I said, “Yes. That’s what I’m saying. Yes.

That’s what I’m saying. Yes….”And she pushed it away her list of objections and she said,

“Well, I don’t like that.” And I said, “Now, why don’t you like it?” She said, “First of all, I want to be able to know that in God’s eyes, there’s something different about me than an

unbeliever.” She said, “I want to be able to say that ….” And before she got it out of her mouth, I said, “You want to be able to say that you’re more important and superior.” And with a certain boastfulness she said, “Yes.” Now, she wasn’t mad or anything, but she said, “This is what’s going on in my heart. It’s just not fair.” She’s 50-plus years old now. She grew up in church. She has always been in church. She’s been a believer from a very young age, living right doing right, sacrificing throughout her life. And to her, if these things that Jesus came to show us are true, then she believes it’s grossly not fair.

That’s a misconception that I believe is prevalent in the church and among many Christians. When we hear the Gospel being preached the way it is portrayed by Jesus in the New Testament, there is this misconception that the Gospel is about justice—that it’s about fairness. We speak a language that gives people the idea that the Gospel and God are all about justice and that everything He does is about fairness. For instance, you’ll hear things such as, “Let’s talk about fairness in business.” Then you’ll hear a message about

how we as believers should be fairer than anybody else. Why? Well, will be the answer, “because we believers represent God”. So then we immediately think that because we’re Christians and we represent God and the kingdom that we should be fair in business. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely believe in justice and fairness but that’s not the point.

I’m not saying we should not be just and fair in business. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be just and fair in life and treat people fairly. I am saying that as soon as you think that the Gospel and God’s dealings with man, in and through the finished work of Jesus Christ, is all about fairness, then you’re under a misconception. We know and saw that God is no respecter of persons.

Again, God loves and accepts any person as much as He accepts the saint who has been in church for 40 years just as that pastor’s wife had been. You are not going to find anything to do with fairness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is not what it is about.

So, you may ask, what is it all about? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the love of a Father who has gone to extraordinary lengths to make peace with His wayward children and to restore them back to their born identity.

The Gospel is about the love of a Father for His children.

The post The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt) appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt)

by

Chapter 9 (Excerpt from my book Knowing and Experiencing God)

The Unfairness of the Gospel

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth

which no human being could have searched out].”

Ephesians 3:8-9 (AMPC)

Today there are many people who are preaching what they call the gospel of ‘grace’ or the message of grace, and as a result, grace is defined in many ways. In some instances, the word ‘grace’ is used as an acronym for ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ One of the most common definitions used for grace is ‘the free, unmerited and unconditional favor of God.’

These definitions of grace are true and do explain some of the attributes of the grace of God.

However, the grace of God, as it is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is described by Paul as the grace entrusted to him to preach the unending, boundless, fathomless,

matchless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of the person of Jesus Christ Himself!

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul also said, “I do not frustrate the GRACE of God,” (Gal. 2:21).

The Amplified Bible reads like this: “[Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God….”

Galatians 2:21 (AMPC)

To ‘frustrate’ means ‘to thwart the success of,’ or ‘to limit, sabotage or undermine and invalidate the desired or intended results.’ Unfortunately, in many Christian circles today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been presented in a way that invalidates, limits and hinders the influence of God’s boundless grace.

Limiting and Hindering the Grace of God

One of the ways in which the influence of God’s boundless grace has been limited and hindered in the lives of many believers is the misconception that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that reveals God’s justice and fairness in dealing with man and his sin.

‘Justice’ is defined as ‘the treatment or quality of being fair and reasonable.’ And ‘fairness’ means ‘to be treated in accordance with the rules or standards’ or in other words ‘to be justly treated.’

This is the way that Christianity is perceived by many people in our world today —a religious group of people who worship a God who is all about justice and fairness.

As a result, this has become the approach that many people have when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe and expect the Gospel to be about justice and

fairness.

In the book of Acts, we find that Peter discovered that God does not deal with people according to what Peter viewed as just, right or fair. In order to understand Peter’s

surprised observation in Acts 10, we need to know what the popular beliefs were among the Jews at that time.

The Us and Them Mentality

The Jews had a very clear-cut doctrine concerning the Gentiles. They believed in what I would call an “us and them” theology.

The Jews believed that God favored them purely because they were Jews. They believed God’s favor, redemption and salvation is not extended to other nations or people

and that the Jews were entitled to favor, redemption and salvation purely because they were Jews or Israelites. The Jews believed that other people, such as the Gentiles, were

common or defiled and therefore excluded from any, and all of God’s blessing and favor.

But Peter was surprised to learn that this doctrine and theology of “us and them” was in error. He discovered that a man is not accepted, favored or blessed just because he is a Jew, nor is he excluded and cursed just because he is a Gentile.

This is the account of where God gave Peter a vision while he was resting on a roof top waiting for lunch to be served. Peter was a Jewish believer who at that time still had an ‘us and them’ mentality.

This is how the vision is described:

“And he saw the sky opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth. It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.” Acts 10:9-16

 

Immediately after Peter had the vision, men who were sent by Cornelius arrived at the house where Peter was residing and asked him to accompany them to Caesarea. Cornelius was a Gentile whom God had instructed to call on Peter to come to them and preach the Gospel. Peter agreed and accompanied them to Caesarea Philippi. When Peter arrived there, he was surprised to see the grace of God on Cornelius’ house, and this put the vision he had

into perspective.

This is Peter, speaking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles:

“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves are aware how it is not lawful or permissible for a Jew to keep company with or to visit or [even] to come near or to speak first to anyone of another nationality, but God has shown and taught me by words that I should not call any HUMAN

BEING common or unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.’” Acts 10:28 AMPC (emphasis mine)

And again, in Acts 10, verse 38, he goes on to say; “…Most certainly and thoroughly I now PERCEIVE andUNDERSTAND that God shows no PARTIALITY and is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS” —Acts 10:38 AMPC (emphasis mine)

The word ‘respecter’ means ‘an accepter of a face.’ The word ‘respecter’ used here denotes ‘the act of showing favor to anyone on account of rank, family or wealth.’ It means to show partiality, arising from any cause whatsoever. But this was the revelation that Peter had—that God is not a respecter of persons! This means, that day, Peter realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about us and them, and it is not about justice and fairness. God loves and accepts the sinner in the gutter as much as He loves and accepts the saint who has been faithfully attending church for 40 years!

Now, as long as we perceive the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be about justice and fairness in which God treats people according to what is right, just and fair, we will always

hear people say things like: “How can God allow the evil that is in the world to continue?” “Why does God let the wicked prosper? It does not seem fair.” “I did nothing wrong. Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” For that

matter we could also say this; “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

But is God not a God of righteousness, justice and fairness you may ask? Absolutely He is! But the question is not whether God is righteous, just and fair. The question is rather whether His dealings with man in and through the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ is about justice and fairness!

Because if we think about it, if justice and fairness is what you are looking for in the Gospel message, my friend, then “go to hell!” Now wait! Don’t close the book on me. I say that, because if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about God dealing with man according to what is right, just and fair, then according to what is right, just and fair, you and I should be in hell right now! God is a holy, a righteous and a just God. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a holy, righteous and just God’s love for fallen, broken, damaged people!

The writer of Hebrews in the first chapter says that God, in times past, has spoken to mankind through the prophets, revealing Himself to us “just in portions of truth,” or in other words, not the whole or complete truth. But now today God has spoken to us in and by His Son.

“IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things….” Hebrews

 

Who is the Son? The writer of Hebrews says, “…also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built,

operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect

imprint and very image of [God’s] nature…” (Heb. 1:2b-3a AMPC).

Also in Hebrews 2, the writer makes this statement: “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closerattention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.” —Hebrews 2:1 (AMPC)

What does it mean when the writer of Hebrews said, “Since all this is true?” Since it is true that God has shown us who He really is through His Son Jesus Christ, and He has shown us who we are, and shown us the value that He has for man, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to these truths!

“If the message given through angels, the law given to them by Moses, was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate just and adequate penalty, how shall we escape appropriate retribution (not punishment but the consequences of neglecting this truth of salvation and restoration of our true identity) if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation as is now offered to us? Hebrews

2:3 AMPC

I was in Florida ministering at a church when I had a discussion with a pastor’s wife after I had shared a small portion of what I’m writing about here in this book. When we had dinner that evening, she sat down and brought out a little list that she had written down.

She said, “Now, let me just get this straight so I can understand something. Are you saying …?” And she started going through all the reasons she felt were unfair about the way I preached the Gospel. And basically, I said, “Yes. That’s what I’m saying. Yes.

That’s what I’m saying. Yes….”And she pushed it away her list of objections and she said,

“Well, I don’t like that.” And I said, “Now, why don’t you like it?” She said, “First of all, I want to be able to know that in God’s eyes, there’s something different about me than an

unbeliever.” She said, “I want to be able to say that ….” And before she got it out of her mouth, I said, “You want to be able to say that you’re more important and superior.” And with a certain boastfulness she said, “Yes.” Now, she wasn’t mad or anything, but she said, “This is what’s going on in my heart. It’s just not fair.” She’s 50-plus years old now. She grew up in church. She has always been in church. She’s been a believer from a very young age, living right doing right, sacrificing throughout her life. And to her, if these things that Jesus came to show us are true, then she believes it’s grossly not fair.

That’s a misconception that I believe is prevalent in the church and among many Christians. When we hear the Gospel being preached the way it is portrayed by Jesus in the New Testament, there is this misconception that the Gospel is about justice—that it’s about fairness. We speak a language that gives people the idea that the Gospel and God are all about justice and that everything He does is about fairness. For instance, you’ll hear things such as, “Let’s talk about fairness in business.” Then you’ll hear a message about

how we as believers should be fairer than anybody else. Why? Well, will be the answer, “because we believers represent God”. So then we immediately think that because we’re Christians and we represent God and the kingdom that we should be fair in business. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely believe in justice and fairness but that’s not the point.

I’m not saying we should not be just and fair in business. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be just and fair in life and treat people fairly. I am saying that as soon as you think that the Gospel and God’s dealings with man, in and through the finished work of Jesus Christ, is all about fairness, then you’re under a misconception. We know and saw that God is no respecter of persons.

Again, God loves and accepts any person as much as He accepts the saint who has been in church for 40 years just as that pastor’s wife had been. You are not going to find anything to do with fairness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is not what it is about.

So, you may ask, what is it all about? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the love of a Father who has gone to extraordinary lengths to make peace with His wayward children and to restore them back to their born identity.

The Gospel is about the love of a Father for His children.

The post The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt) appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt)

by

Chapter 9 (Excerpt from my book Knowing and Experiencing God)

The Unfairness of the Gospel

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth

which no human being could have searched out].”

Ephesians 3:8-9 (AMPC)

Today there are many people who are preaching what they call the gospel of ‘grace’ or the message of grace, and as a result, grace is defined in many ways. In some instances, the word ‘grace’ is used as an acronym for ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ One of the most common definitions used for grace is ‘the free, unmerited and unconditional favor of God.’

These definitions of grace are true and do explain some of the attributes of the grace of God.

However, the grace of God, as it is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is described by Paul as the grace entrusted to him to preach the unending, boundless, fathomless,

matchless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of the person of Jesus Christ Himself!

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul also said, “I do not frustrate the GRACE of God,” (Gal. 2:21).

The Amplified Bible reads like this: “[Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God….”

Galatians 2:21 (AMPC)

To ‘frustrate’ means ‘to thwart the success of,’ or ‘to limit, sabotage or undermine and invalidate the desired or intended results.’ Unfortunately, in many Christian circles today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been presented in a way that invalidates, limits and hinders the influence of God’s boundless grace.

Limiting and Hindering the Grace of God

One of the ways in which the influence of God’s boundless grace has been limited and hindered in the lives of many believers is the misconception that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that reveals God’s justice and fairness in dealing with man and his sin.

‘Justice’ is defined as ‘the treatment or quality of being fair and reasonable.’ And ‘fairness’ means ‘to be treated in accordance with the rules or standards’ or in other words ‘to be justly treated.’

This is the way that Christianity is perceived by many people in our world today —a religious group of people who worship a God who is all about justice and fairness.

As a result, this has become the approach that many people have when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe and expect the Gospel to be about justice and

fairness.

In the book of Acts, we find that Peter discovered that God does not deal with people according to what Peter viewed as just, right or fair. In order to understand Peter’s

surprised observation in Acts 10, we need to know what the popular beliefs were among the Jews at that time.

The Us and Them Mentality

The Jews had a very clear-cut doctrine concerning the Gentiles. They believed in what I would call an “us and them” theology.

The Jews believed that God favored them purely because they were Jews. They believed God’s favor, redemption and salvation is not extended to other nations or people

and that the Jews were entitled to favor, redemption and salvation purely because they were Jews or Israelites. The Jews believed that other people, such as the Gentiles, were

common or defiled and therefore excluded from any, and all of God’s blessing and favor.

But Peter was surprised to learn that this doctrine and theology of “us and them” was in error. He discovered that a man is not accepted, favored or blessed just because he is a Jew, nor is he excluded and cursed just because he is a Gentile.

This is the account of where God gave Peter a vision while he was resting on a roof top waiting for lunch to be served. Peter was a Jewish believer who at that time still had an ‘us and them’ mentality.

This is how the vision is described:

“And he saw the sky opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth. It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.” Acts 10:9-16

 

Immediately after Peter had the vision, men who were sent by Cornelius arrived at the house where Peter was residing and asked him to accompany them to Caesarea. Cornelius was a Gentile whom God had instructed to call on Peter to come to them and preach the Gospel. Peter agreed and accompanied them to Caesarea Philippi. When Peter arrived there, he was surprised to see the grace of God on Cornelius’ house, and this put the vision he had

into perspective.

This is Peter, speaking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles:

“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves are aware how it is not lawful or permissible for a Jew to keep company with or to visit or [even] to come near or to speak first to anyone of another nationality, but God has shown and taught me by words that I should not call any HUMAN

BEING common or unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.’” Acts 10:28 AMPC (emphasis mine)

And again, in Acts 10, verse 38, he goes on to say; “…Most certainly and thoroughly I now PERCEIVE andUNDERSTAND that God shows no PARTIALITY and is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS” —Acts 10:38 AMPC (emphasis mine)

The word ‘respecter’ means ‘an accepter of a face.’ The word ‘respecter’ used here denotes ‘the act of showing favor to anyone on account of rank, family or wealth.’ It means to show partiality, arising from any cause whatsoever. But this was the revelation that Peter had—that God is not a respecter of persons! This means, that day, Peter realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about us and them, and it is not about justice and fairness. God loves and accepts the sinner in the gutter as much as He loves and accepts the saint who has been faithfully attending church for 40 years!

Now, as long as we perceive the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be about justice and fairness in which God treats people according to what is right, just and fair, we will always

hear people say things like: “How can God allow the evil that is in the world to continue?” “Why does God let the wicked prosper? It does not seem fair.” “I did nothing wrong. Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” For that

matter we could also say this; “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

But is God not a God of righteousness, justice and fairness you may ask? Absolutely He is! But the question is not whether God is righteous, just and fair. The question is rather whether His dealings with man in and through the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ is about justice and fairness!

Because if we think about it, if justice and fairness is what you are looking for in the Gospel message, my friend, then “go to hell!” Now wait! Don’t close the book on me. I say that, because if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about God dealing with man according to what is right, just and fair, then according to what is right, just and fair, you and I should be in hell right now! God is a holy, a righteous and a just God. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a holy, righteous and just God’s love for fallen, broken, damaged people!

The writer of Hebrews in the first chapter says that God, in times past, has spoken to mankind through the prophets, revealing Himself to us “just in portions of truth,” or in other words, not the whole or complete truth. But now today God has spoken to us in and by His Son.

“IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things….” Hebrews

 

Who is the Son? The writer of Hebrews says, “…also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built,

operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect

imprint and very image of [God’s] nature…” (Heb. 1:2b-3a AMPC).

Also in Hebrews 2, the writer makes this statement: “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closerattention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.” —Hebrews 2:1 (AMPC)

What does it mean when the writer of Hebrews said, “Since all this is true?” Since it is true that God has shown us who He really is through His Son Jesus Christ, and He has shown us who we are, and shown us the value that He has for man, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to these truths!

“If the message given through angels, the law given to them by Moses, was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate just and adequate penalty, how shall we escape appropriate retribution (not punishment but the consequences of neglecting this truth of salvation and restoration of our true identity) if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation as is now offered to us? Hebrews

2:3 AMPC

I was in Florida ministering at a church when I had a discussion with a pastor’s wife after I had shared a small portion of what I’m writing about here in this book. When we had dinner that evening, she sat down and brought out a little list that she had written down.

She said, “Now, let me just get this straight so I can understand something. Are you saying …?” And she started going through all the reasons she felt were unfair about the way I preached the Gospel. And basically, I said, “Yes. That’s what I’m saying. Yes.

That’s what I’m saying. Yes….”And she pushed it away her list of objections and she said,

“Well, I don’t like that.” And I said, “Now, why don’t you like it?” She said, “First of all, I want to be able to know that in God’s eyes, there’s something different about me than an

unbeliever.” She said, “I want to be able to say that ….” And before she got it out of her mouth, I said, “You want to be able to say that you’re more important and superior.” And with a certain boastfulness she said, “Yes.” Now, she wasn’t mad or anything, but she said, “This is what’s going on in my heart. It’s just not fair.” She’s 50-plus years old now. She grew up in church. She has always been in church. She’s been a believer from a very young age, living right doing right, sacrificing throughout her life. And to her, if these things that Jesus came to show us are true, then she believes it’s grossly not fair.

That’s a misconception that I believe is prevalent in the church and among many Christians. When we hear the Gospel being preached the way it is portrayed by Jesus in the New Testament, there is this misconception that the Gospel is about justice—that it’s about fairness. We speak a language that gives people the idea that the Gospel and God are all about justice and that everything He does is about fairness. For instance, you’ll hear things such as, “Let’s talk about fairness in business.” Then you’ll hear a message about

how we as believers should be fairer than anybody else. Why? Well, will be the answer, “because we believers represent God”. So then we immediately think that because we’re Christians and we represent God and the kingdom that we should be fair in business. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely believe in justice and fairness but that’s not the point.

I’m not saying we should not be just and fair in business. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be just and fair in life and treat people fairly. I am saying that as soon as you think that the Gospel and God’s dealings with man, in and through the finished work of Jesus Christ, is all about fairness, then you’re under a misconception. We know and saw that God is no respecter of persons.

Again, God loves and accepts any person as much as He accepts the saint who has been in church for 40 years just as that pastor’s wife had been. You are not going to find anything to do with fairness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is not what it is about.

So, you may ask, what is it all about? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the love of a Father who has gone to extraordinary lengths to make peace with His wayward children and to restore them back to their born identity.

The Gospel is about the love of a Father for His children.

The post The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt) appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt)

by

Chapter 9 (Excerpt from my book Knowing and Experiencing God)

The Unfairness of the Gospel

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth

which no human being could have searched out].”

Ephesians 3:8-9 (AMPC)

Today there are many people who are preaching what they call the gospel of ‘grace’ or the message of grace, and as a result, grace is defined in many ways. In some instances, the word ‘grace’ is used as an acronym for ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ One of the most common definitions used for grace is ‘the free, unmerited and unconditional favor of God.’

These definitions of grace are true and do explain some of the attributes of the grace of God.

However, the grace of God, as it is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is described by Paul as the grace entrusted to him to preach the unending, boundless, fathomless,

matchless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of the person of Jesus Christ Himself!

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul also said, “I do not frustrate the GRACE of God,” (Gal. 2:21).

The Amplified Bible reads like this: “[Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose]; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God….”

Galatians 2:21 (AMPC)

To ‘frustrate’ means ‘to thwart the success of,’ or ‘to limit, sabotage or undermine and invalidate the desired or intended results.’ Unfortunately, in many Christian circles today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been presented in a way that invalidates, limits and hinders the influence of God’s boundless grace.

Limiting and Hindering the Grace of God

One of the ways in which the influence of God’s boundless grace has been limited and hindered in the lives of many believers is the misconception that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that reveals God’s justice and fairness in dealing with man and his sin.

‘Justice’ is defined as ‘the treatment or quality of being fair and reasonable.’ And ‘fairness’ means ‘to be treated in accordance with the rules or standards’ or in other words ‘to be justly treated.’

This is the way that Christianity is perceived by many people in our world today —a religious group of people who worship a God who is all about justice and fairness.

As a result, this has become the approach that many people have when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe and expect the Gospel to be about justice and

fairness.

In the book of Acts, we find that Peter discovered that God does not deal with people according to what Peter viewed as just, right or fair. In order to understand Peter’s

surprised observation in Acts 10, we need to know what the popular beliefs were among the Jews at that time.

The Us and Them Mentality

The Jews had a very clear-cut doctrine concerning the Gentiles. They believed in what I would call an “us and them” theology.

The Jews believed that God favored them purely because they were Jews. They believed God’s favor, redemption and salvation is not extended to other nations or people

and that the Jews were entitled to favor, redemption and salvation purely because they were Jews or Israelites. The Jews believed that other people, such as the Gentiles, were

common or defiled and therefore excluded from any, and all of God’s blessing and favor.

But Peter was surprised to learn that this doctrine and theology of “us and them” was in error. He discovered that a man is not accepted, favored or blessed just because he is a Jew, nor is he excluded and cursed just because he is a Gentile.

This is the account of where God gave Peter a vision while he was resting on a roof top waiting for lunch to be served. Peter was a Jewish believer who at that time still had an ‘us and them’ mentality.

This is how the vision is described:

“And he saw the sky opened and something like a great sheet lowered by the four corners, descending to the earth. It contained all kinds of quadrupeds and wild beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, saying, Rise up, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, No, by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean. And the voice came to him again a second time, What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, do not you defile and profane by regarding and calling common and unhallowed or unclean.” Acts 10:9-16

 

Immediately after Peter had the vision, men who were sent by Cornelius arrived at the house where Peter was residing and asked him to accompany them to Caesarea. Cornelius was a Gentile whom God had instructed to call on Peter to come to them and preach the Gospel. Peter agreed and accompanied them to Caesarea Philippi. When Peter arrived there, he was surprised to see the grace of God on Cornelius’ house, and this put the vision he had

into perspective.

This is Peter, speaking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles:

“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves are aware how it is not lawful or permissible for a Jew to keep company with or to visit or [even] to come near or to speak first to anyone of another nationality, but God has shown and taught me by words that I should not call any HUMAN

BEING common or unhallowed or [ceremonially] unclean.’” Acts 10:28 AMPC (emphasis mine)

And again, in Acts 10, verse 38, he goes on to say; “…Most certainly and thoroughly I now PERCEIVE andUNDERSTAND that God shows no PARTIALITY and is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS” —Acts 10:38 AMPC (emphasis mine)

The word ‘respecter’ means ‘an accepter of a face.’ The word ‘respecter’ used here denotes ‘the act of showing favor to anyone on account of rank, family or wealth.’ It means to show partiality, arising from any cause whatsoever. But this was the revelation that Peter had—that God is not a respecter of persons! This means, that day, Peter realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about us and them, and it is not about justice and fairness. God loves and accepts the sinner in the gutter as much as He loves and accepts the saint who has been faithfully attending church for 40 years!

Now, as long as we perceive the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be about justice and fairness in which God treats people according to what is right, just and fair, we will always

hear people say things like: “How can God allow the evil that is in the world to continue?” “Why does God let the wicked prosper? It does not seem fair.” “I did nothing wrong. Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” For that

matter we could also say this; “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

But is God not a God of righteousness, justice and fairness you may ask? Absolutely He is! But the question is not whether God is righteous, just and fair. The question is rather whether His dealings with man in and through the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ is about justice and fairness!

Because if we think about it, if justice and fairness is what you are looking for in the Gospel message, my friend, then “go to hell!” Now wait! Don’t close the book on me. I say that, because if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about God dealing with man according to what is right, just and fair, then according to what is right, just and fair, you and I should be in hell right now! God is a holy, a righteous and a just God. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a holy, righteous and just God’s love for fallen, broken, damaged people!

The writer of Hebrews in the first chapter says that God, in times past, has spoken to mankind through the prophets, revealing Himself to us “just in portions of truth,” or in other words, not the whole or complete truth. But now today God has spoken to us in and by His Son.

“IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things….” Hebrews

 

Who is the Son? The writer of Hebrews says, “…also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built,

operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect

imprint and very image of [God’s] nature…” (Heb. 1:2b-3a AMPC).

Also in Hebrews 2, the writer makes this statement: “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closerattention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.” —Hebrews 2:1 (AMPC)

What does it mean when the writer of Hebrews said, “Since all this is true?” Since it is true that God has shown us who He really is through His Son Jesus Christ, and He has shown us who we are, and shown us the value that He has for man, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to these truths!

“If the message given through angels, the law given to them by Moses, was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate just and adequate penalty, how shall we escape appropriate retribution (not punishment but the consequences of neglecting this truth of salvation and restoration of our true identity) if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation as is now offered to us? Hebrews

2:3 AMPC

I was in Florida ministering at a church when I had a discussion with a pastor’s wife after I had shared a small portion of what I’m writing about here in this book. When we had dinner that evening, she sat down and brought out a little list that she had written down.

She said, “Now, let me just get this straight so I can understand something. Are you saying …?” And she started going through all the reasons she felt were unfair about the way I preached the Gospel. And basically, I said, “Yes. That’s what I’m saying. Yes.

That’s what I’m saying. Yes….”And she pushed it away her list of objections and she said,

“Well, I don’t like that.” And I said, “Now, why don’t you like it?” She said, “First of all, I want to be able to know that in God’s eyes, there’s something different about me than an

unbeliever.” She said, “I want to be able to say that ….” And before she got it out of her mouth, I said, “You want to be able to say that you’re more important and superior.” And with a certain boastfulness she said, “Yes.” Now, she wasn’t mad or anything, but she said, “This is what’s going on in my heart. It’s just not fair.” She’s 50-plus years old now. She grew up in church. She has always been in church. She’s been a believer from a very young age, living right doing right, sacrificing throughout her life. And to her, if these things that Jesus came to show us are true, then she believes it’s grossly not fair.

That’s a misconception that I believe is prevalent in the church and among many Christians. When we hear the Gospel being preached the way it is portrayed by Jesus in the New Testament, there is this misconception that the Gospel is about justice—that it’s about fairness. We speak a language that gives people the idea that the Gospel and God are all about justice and that everything He does is about fairness. For instance, you’ll hear things such as, “Let’s talk about fairness in business.” Then you’ll hear a message about

how we as believers should be fairer than anybody else. Why? Well, will be the answer, “because we believers represent God”. So then we immediately think that because we’re Christians and we represent God and the kingdom that we should be fair in business. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely believe in justice and fairness but that’s not the point.

I’m not saying we should not be just and fair in business. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be just and fair in life and treat people fairly. I am saying that as soon as you think that the Gospel and God’s dealings with man, in and through the finished work of Jesus Christ, is all about fairness, then you’re under a misconception. We know and saw that God is no respecter of persons.

Again, God loves and accepts any person as much as He accepts the saint who has been in church for 40 years just as that pastor’s wife had been. You are not going to find anything to do with fairness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ because that is not what it is about.

So, you may ask, what is it all about? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the love of a Father who has gone to extraordinary lengths to make peace with His wayward children and to restore them back to their born identity.

The Gospel is about the love of a Father for His children.

The post The Unfairness of the Gospel (excerpt) appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Preaching Beyond Fear

by

People have been talking of a “Third Great Awakening,” a movement with a potential to sweep throughout the entire world! Is this possible?

Jesus said it would happen—

“And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.” (Matt. 24:14, AMPC)

Jesus didn’t say the Gospel should, could, or might be preached—He said, “…and this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached!”

Sadly, something holds us back from being ready, willing, and able to boldly take this Good News into all the world.

The Fear of Accusation

 

There is growing pressure on preachers and teachers to compromise the Gospel message of grace and goodness. Many demand “balance” and label the Good News Message as “Hyper-Grace,” “Sloppy Agape,” or even “False Doctrine and Error.”

Accusations of heresy are causing people to hold back the Good News in fear. Yet, I truly believe that those who value their calling and relationship with God wouldn’t intentionally teach error. Let’s not be hindered by condemnation, guilt, or judgement any longer!

But—how do we walk in this freedom?

Shifting Your Focus

 

1. Focus on Jesus

 

The Word of God assures us that if we stay focused on Jesus and God’s love for people, we won’t operate in fear deception, delusion, or error!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..” (Heb. 12:1-2, NKJV)

2. Focus on Truth

 

Paul shares where Truth is found:

”But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph. 4:20-21, NKJV)

Furthermore, Jesus says:

 

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free…”

(John 8:32 AMP)

 

“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)

 

By focusing on Jesus, we are abiding in the Truth, and the Truth is in us!

3. Focus on Love

 

We can boldly minister without fear when we stay rooted in God’s love!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(1 John 4:18, NKJV).

 

4. Focus on Trusting God

 

We can trust God’s care for us as we share His Word unashamedly!

Paul reminds us that God “will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (1 Cor. 1:8 AMPC).

 

 

5. Focus on The Holy Spirit

 

When we live in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, it becomes impossible to fall into error. Jesus tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:16, 26-27, NKJV)

 

The fear of error will hinder us from freely proclaiming the Gospel. Just as fearing heights can keep us from a panoramic view, fear may hold us back from fully sharing the Good News. We can trust God’s assurance and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to keep us from falling into error!

6. Stay Steadfast

Jesus says: 

“Staying with it – that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” (Matt. 24:13, MSG)

 

My charge to you is this:

Do not give in, give up, go back, or recant!

Let us be the generation that preaches the Gospel beyond all fear—Go out there and proclaim the Good News!

Are you ready for radical heart transformation? You’ll find it in Christ!

 

Blessings,

Arthur

The post Preaching Beyond Fear appeared first on Arthur Meintjes.

Categories

Recent Posts