Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Paul was faithful to preach the
gospel wherever he was sent. He did not pick and choose his
audience, nor did he preach a variety of messages. Regardless of who
he stood before, whether in the synagogue, before a Jewish court,
in a Gentile soldier's house, or before earthly kings, he preached
but one message, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. What a contrast
this is to the rank-and-file preacher of today, who is educated
to tailor his message to his hearers, so as to offend none
and be as entertaining as possible in order to gain and hold a crowd.
Many determine where they are sent by the amount of money they
receive and like to get the financial arrangements in order before
any preaching occurs. Paul had no concern for such
matters, but with singleness of purpose declared the gospel
of the glory of the blessed God. He made it plain that he had
coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel, nor did he in any
way seek their approval, saying, I have not shunned to declare
unto you all the counsel of God. The truth never changes, and
the gospel has no uncertain sound. We may not always be able to
discern who the true hearers of the gospel are, but we can
most certainly determine what the gospel is and is not. Any
message which tells men that they must add something to what
Christ has done, or one which does not declare the total accomplishment
of Christ in obtaining redemption for his elect, cannot be the
same gospel which Paul declared. I grow so weary of hearing the
false prophets of our day declaring that Christ has only partially
accomplished the salvation of men and has left the rest of
it up to them to determine whether or not they will be saved by
adding their faith to the transaction. Such drivel is music in the ears
of the religious man who delights to prove himself worthy before
God, but it is of no help at all to that man who is convinced
that he is a lost and helpless sinner. Such a man as that is
like his disciples when they cried out, Lord, save us, we
perish, or the publican who smote upon his breast and said, God,
be merciful to me, a sinner. These men understood that they
had nothing to offer unto the Lord, which was of any value,
and were totally dependent on his ability to deliver them.
No man can see himself in that lost and undone condition apart
from the quickening and convicting work of the Holy Ghost. Nor will
the gospel of free grace appear altogether lovely unto any except
those who are made to see Christ lifted up as the sinner's substitute. King Agrippa declared to Paul,
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Yet there is
no such thing as an almost Christian. Except the Lord should totally
convince a man of his ruined condition and bring him naked
and bare before the throne of His mercy, a man will never be
manifested as one of the sons of God by becoming a true follower
of Christ. Believing the gospel of Christ
is not measured by degrees of understanding and commitment,
but is the work of God in the heart of a man to give him both
faith and repentance. God is given plain testimony
of his sovereign rule, because that which may be known of God
is manifest in them, for God has showed it unto them. For
the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even his eternal power in Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and
their foolish heart was darkened. God has plainly displayed His
redemptive power, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out
of the way, nailing it to His cross. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. God has sent his messengers into
the earth to declare the gospel. For after that, in the wisdom
of God, the world by wisdom knew not God. It pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. There is no
place upon the earth which is without the witness of God. God
will bring to pass a universal testimony to the Lordship of
Jesus Christ. For it is written, As I live,
saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall
confess to God. Wherefore God also hath highly
exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven
and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father, that in the ages to come He might show the
exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through
Christ Jesus. Do you rejoice in the Lord's
public display of His grace and His goodness to the sons of His
everlasting love? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.