SUNDAY February 23, 2025

The Glorious Gospel

...for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:10-11

Paul concluded his list of sins that mark the lives of the unrighteous––liars and perjurers. Liars are people who do not speak truth. In society, it is often thought that a white lie is not the same as a black lie––a lie is a lie! When people deliberately lie or bear false witness, it is a violation of the ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16). God holds a person accountable for lying. A perjurer is a person who takes an oath to “tell the truth, so help me God;” but when they take the stand, they lie about circumstances.

All these sins and many more are contrary to sound doctrine––the truth of the Gospel. The word sound refers to that which is “healthy and wholesome.” When you are rooted and grounded in God’s Word, you will live a godly life according to the precepts of God’s glorious Gospel.

The word Gospel means “Good Message” or “the Good News.” The context means it is centered on the Person and work of Jesus Christ––His death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. That’s the Gospel!

Some people believe the Gospel is a bunch of legalistic rules and regulations. The Gospel is freedom! Christians are set free from sin, no longer in bondage to the vices that were destroying their lives. The standard given to Christians after accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to live a life that gives glory to God––that is to be our lives.

Finally, we are to be committed to the Gospel. This means we become stewards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all held accountable for what we do with this treasure in our earthen vessels––dwelling within us (2 Corinthians 4:7). As your pastor, I am committing the Gospel to your trust today.

Christian freedom does not mean being free to do as we like; it means being free to do as we ought.
~William Barclay~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!