THE MUCH MORE OF THE GOSPEL

THE MUCH MORE OF THE GOSPEL

Having been reconciled through the death of His Son,

MUCH MORE, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:10)

The first column in the following table includes true statements I have heard. There is truth in these statements…but not the whole truth…and we all can try over and over to “commit” themselves to this. Through this ministry, I am seeing many lives transformed into real hope and joy only as God leads people to “surrender” their hearts and minds to the MUCH MORE of the gospel truth in the second column. Notice how the first column is subtly self-centered and the second column is Christ-centered.

Some Gospel Truth	The MUCH MORE of the Gospel!	Key Scripture
I’m saved and am going to heaven later.	I am saved by Christ’s life now!	Having been reconciled through the death of His Son, much more, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:10).
I have been given a mind and am expected to use it.	I have been given the wisdom of Christ!	For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
I can have hope if I keep a focus on Scriptural truths.	Since I have Christ, He is my only true hope!	The Lord Jesus Christ is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1).
I can be equipped to witness to certain people.	I witness Christ’s life to everyone I meet!	Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).
I’m frustrated…I need more patience.	I have all of Christ indwelling me, so I already have all His patience!	The fruit of the Spirit (the indwelling life of Christ) is love, joy, peace, patience (Galatians 5:22).
I am hurting…I need more peace.	The indwelling Christ is my peace, and He leads me to know Him in my pain!	For Christ Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
God convicts (convinces) me of my sinful acts.	God convicts (convinces) me of my righteousness identity, the very righteousness of Christ given to me!	Christ became for us righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). The Spirit bears witness with (convinces) our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).
Lord, I pray that You will bless me indeed.	Because I have been given the life of Christ, I am already fully blessed!	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
I must be active in ministry.	The source of my activity is Christ Himself!	Christ we preach (minister)…striving according to His working that works in me mightily (Colossians 1:28-29).
I’m not qualified to minister because I am not trained.	Christ in me is the ministry! And He will lovingly train me to know Him!	My (Jesus) grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Christ’s love for me motivates me to serve Him.	Christ love in and through me is my sole motivation to do anything!	For the love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14).
I want my sick body to be healed.	I am completely healed by Christ in the deepest sense!	By whose (Christ’s) stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).
GRACE means “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.”	Grace is not only receiving an undeserved gift, but includes the power to use the gift, the life of Christ Himself!	By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10).