hypocrisy #3: a little bit gratis

In the Evangel that Paul announced among the nations, salvation is absolutely free and guaranteed. The one GOD wants all mankind to be saved (1Tim.2:4), and He is, therefore, the Saviour of all mankind (1Tim.4:10). No bad performance of man can exert any influence on this. Even as all people are born sinners and mortals, so is it a given that all mankind will be justified and made alive beyond the reach of death (Rom. 5:18; 1Cor.15:22). It is a message, a good news  message! Whether you believe it or whether you do not believe it, the fact remains. However, what has Christendom made ​​of this message? Certainly, the word grace (gratuitous, free) was retained … one “only” has to become a Christian. But precisely in that word “only” is hidden the poison. “Becoming a Christians”, has been made a condition for God to be your Saviour. With this, they have made ​​this good news message into a commercial offer. The price that they ask may be small, but it is no longer gratis. A little bit free, does not exist. That is “hypocrisy of false words. “The faith or faithfulness of God (Rom.3:3) is the ground on which a man is being saved. HE promises and HE does it. Our faith is only the channel or instrument through which God saves (Rom.3:30, Gal.3:14,26).

For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God’s approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting. -Ephesians 2:8,9-

Do not be fooled by the Gehazi-trick. Of the pagan, army-chief, Naaman, we read that he was divinely healed of leprosy. Gratis. The prophet Elisha, absolutely, did not want to receive anything for it. But Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, thought otherwise. He went after the wealthy general and asked him only (!) a small fee (2Kings 5:20). For this, Gehazi was severely blamed and charged. Gehazi sold what the “man of God” had freely given. So Gehazi caused the reputation of ​​the God of Israel to be ruined among the nations. To this day, this trick of Gehazi, is the core message of orthodox Christianity: almost free…

Delen: