THE GRAVITY OF THE GOSPEL

 

Preaching is serious business. There will be a severity in the preacher’s judgment before God for there is a gravity in his assignment to men. Paul’s strong rebuke here is not for a church member who strays into sin, but for the pastor who errs in his sermon.

Improper motivation may be the spark that ignites the hellish fire of Gospel distortion.  The desire to please men may temper our passion for reproof and cause us to tailor our proclamation to suit the congregation’s fancy.   Pride goes before a fall,  and the Apostle does not mince words when he calls upon such ear-tickling, man-pleasing preachers to fall into the abyss!  It is horrible to consider that a pastor might end up in hell—and far worse, be the pied piper who charms others to follow!

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”  (Galatians‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

We can fear God or fear people.  We can seek God’s approval or man’s. We can speak in view of earthly gain or eternal reward. We will choose one to the exclusion of the other.  “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬)

If we please God, it is certain that we will displease many people. Our intent is not to be obnoxious preachers whose goal is to offend, but that the approval or censure of man is immaterial—rather we pursue the commendation of God. Just know that there is a price to pay for that. But, the cost of perverting the Gospel is infinitely more. This is the gravity of the Gospel—the difference between heaven and hell.