“We do not want to give you the therapeutic gospel that only touches your behavior and doesn’t change your character.” (Dr. David Jeremiah)
The gospel that has become increasingly emphasized in our modern Christianity has turned the saving work of Christ into a therapeutic focus on a Jesus who meets our felt needs in a way that keeps us at the center of our lives. Whereas the real Gospel goes right to the heart of the matter and deals with our deadly SIN ISSUE and FALSE LORDSHIP in our innermost being. Sin must be cleansed and Jesus must be allowed to sit on the throne of our life.
Please take note of the picture below with the Tweets from Twitter on it. Tap on the picture and blow it up so you can read all the Tweets. The first two are vastly different from the rest. The first two exemplify the therapeutic gospel:
“Church isn’t about what you or I can do; it’s about what Christ has done.” (Gary Wilkerson)
Thomas Aquinas, back in the 13th century, exposed the error behind the therapeutic gospel:
“We confuse two similar yet different human actions. We see people searching desperately for peace of mind, relief from guilt, meaning, and purpose to their lives, and loving acceptance. We know that ultimately these things can only be found in God. Therefore, we conclude that since people are seeking these things they must be seeking after God. People do not seek God. They seek after the benefits that only God can give them. The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while at the same time fleeing from God himself. We are, by nature, fugitives.”
Paul tells us we must first become a new creation:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
Then, and only then, after we become a new creation, can we do all things, not by the help of Christ, but through Christ:
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13 NKJV)
Jesus emphatically tells us:
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39 NKJV)
What we need is not a few doses of self-esteem, but the esteem that only comes through the reproach of Christ:
“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26 NKJV)
Annointing 