WHAT IS GOSPEL REDUCTIONISM?

Gospel reductionism is watering down the glorious message of God by removing some parts, altering some elements (especially the ones about our sinful natures) or changing the entire message based on the preference of the unbeliever. This is the main reason why most Churches are filled with empty, lost and carnal people. Gospel reductionism brings false conversion. The Lord warns us that if His message of salvation is altered in any way, we would not only be condemned but we will also get superficial, ignorant and phony conversions.

We must preach the fullness of the Gospel starting with the holy justice of God along the fall of man, down to the the nature of the atonement and the Spirit's work of sanctification REGARDLESS of the people's whims or personal preference.

Here are several reasons why preachers reduce the Gospel:

1) They have no confidence in the Word of God so they change it to suit their purposes
2) They are afraid of being rejected to they take away those issues about sin, condemnation and the wrath that is to come
3) They love to please the crowd
4) They are totally ignorant of the true Gospel
5) They have poor theology that is more based on a godless culture than the Word of God

Some of the most popular, well-loved examples of modern day gospel perversions:

1) "Jesus died for you on the cross. Now, do you want to have a relationship with God? Do you have a relationship with our loving Jesus? If not, ask Jesus right now to come into your life, say sorry and thank Him for the cross"

2) "Who loves Jesus? Raise your hand if you want Jesus! Now, pray this prayer and you shall be saved!"

3) "Jesus loves you and He died for you because He wants you to enjoy life with Him in heaven. He want you have your best life now so He was crucified. Would you like to repeat a prayer and ask Him into your life?"

4) "Do you know you're a sinner? (yes) Do you love Jesus? (yes) Do you want to get to heaven? (yes) Do you want to ask Jesus in your life? (yes) Now that you've asked Him into your life, you are saved."

So then if these are but perversions, what is the TRUE GOSPEL of Jesus?

This is the Gospel in summary: Brother I have a great news for you but before I can tell you that lets first get in to Scripture about what it says about man. Brother, man is sinful, corrupt and helpless. He is in bondage with sin and he has continually offended the Lord in his thoughts and actions. And because of this, he is on a way to hell, a place where God's wrath is manifested. (I don't believe you! --This is a typical response, see how the real Gospel creates conflict?). No my friend, its true, God is holy and just and if you look at these passages you would realize that the wages of sin is eternal death. He would be a corrupt judge if He lets you go for your crimes. (No! What about good works?) You cannot be saved by good works because the problem is not your works. The problem is your vile and sinful heart that needs to be changed and converted.

But you know? Here is where the Good News comes in. Someone paid the price of your sin! Someone died for you on the cross! and that Someone is the Son of God in human form! He paid the price of your sins on the cross! He was wounded for your transgressions and His life became an atonement for your wickedness! (What! God did that?) The wrath of God which should be poured out to us because of our inequities was instead poured out to His Son. Yahweh offered His Son as a sacrifice. The Son of God was tortured and killed so that we can be forgiven and reconciled with the Father. This is all for the glory of His Name and for the salvation of His people. (What great God! So what must I do to get saved?) REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!!! You are saved by the grace of God alone through faith in Him! Now, if you genuinely have been changed by God, your life, your heart and your thoughts would start to change. If there is no inward change in your life, you had nothing from me here today and we have to talk again.