A biblical gospel message has a transforming power that changes people’s lives and produces Christlikeness. However, the clear gospel message is being watered down to the point that it is no longer the gospel and has no saving power. When a person responds to the gospel, it is life-changing. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. — Romans 12:2. But the message of the contemporary and emerging church is to accommodate the culture with worldly entertainment and selfish lifestyles.
The gospel centers on Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), calling for repentance and faith (Acts 2:38, Mark 1:15). This message, when received, produces profound change, leading to Christlike character and behavior. Contemporary or “emerging” churches dilute the gospel message by focusing on cultural relevance, entertainment, or seeker-friendly approaches, potentially undermining its power to save and transform.
In 2007, a leading contemporary church conducted an extensive survey, revealing its members’ lack of spiritual growth. The findings indicated that the contemporary movement had made no significant impact on transforming members’ lives. Having been involved in church plants in areas with numerous contemporary megachurches, I observed this firsthand. After knocking on hundreds of doors, it became clear that many attendees of these churches struggled to give a clear testimony of their salvation. This is a serious concern that these people do not have a know-so salvation.
Churches that employ entertainment and fail to preach on sin and the need for repentance will not provide something real that their children with embrace. I am not a prophet, but the contemporary movement, in my opinion, will be a one-generation phenomenon. As I travel the country, I am seeing people leaving these types of churches because they are seeking something real. Just as the modernist movement of the early twentieth century led to the demise of their churches, this will happen to the contemporary churches much more quickly.
Why would a fundamentalist seek to embrace such a movement that is doomed to fail? The only conclusion I can determine is either that they are seeking notoriety or that they lack spiritual discernment. Perhaps preachers believe that there is an easy way to increase attendance, but there is no easy way to change people’s lives. It is only the power of the gospel that changes lives, and we must depend upon the gospel rather than catering to the worldly instincts of the lost.
The gospel can only be transforming if it is a transforming gospel. Calling people to repent from their sin is the message of salvation, and living a holy life is the obvious result of becoming a Christian. Without admission of being lost, no one can be saved because Jesus said, . . . the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. — Luke 19:10.
What is left unsaid in preaching is as critical as what is preached. Avoiding the truth for fear of offending listeners is a failure to share God’s Word faithfully. Enticing new members with worldly music, entertainment, and carnal lifestyles endorses what the Bible condemns in Isaiah 53:6: “We have all turned every one to his own way.” True repentance means turning away from our own ways.
The Jews were guilty of persecuting and killing the prophets because they didn’t like their message. Yet these godly men were faithful to preach the message God gave to them. We must realize the truth is not always embraced by society, but preachers are delegated the responsibility of preaching it without compromise.
The Colonial churches in America had a policy of questioning prospective members, and if they did not exemplify a changed life, they were denied membership. The gospel was expected to bring a change in the lives of new converts.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Essentials to the gospel message include:
· Recognition of being a lost sinner without hope and destined for hell.
· Understanding the substitutionary death of Christ.
· The means of salvation is not by our good works. Baptism, church membership, benevolence, and other good deeds cannot save us. We can only be forgiven of our sins through the blood of Christ and His death on the cross.
· The gift of salvation has been appropriated and is offered to all who will accept it.
· The gift of eternal life can only be received by faith in the finished work of Christ, who died for our sins.
· The Holy Spirit must convict men of their sin and convince men of the sufficiency of Christ’s death to save all who call upon Him.
The foundation of true conversion lies in genuine repentance and faith. Without both, any profession of faith is merely superficial. Tragically, when the day comes to stand before God, many will be shocked to realize they were never truly saved.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. — Matthew 7:21-23
Preaching a clear, accurate gospel that emphasizes repentance and faith is imperative if we want people’s lives to be transformed. There is no shortcut or easy way for people to be converted.
