Christ Is Preached

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 KJV)

There is a video several acquaintances have shared where an attractive lady confronts a street preacher and tells him he is turning people off instead of turning them to Jesus. She tells him the correct way is to live as Jesus teaches us and others will see our lives and want to learn more. He, on the other hand, is preaching that we are sinners and without Jesus, eternity will be spent in hell.

Either way, a portion of the gospel is given. Can we say, as Paul did:

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.(Philippians 1:18 KJV)

What does attract people to our Lord? Why do Christians even care? As a politician recently asked, “What difference does it make now?” My answer is, an eternal one.

I am very concerned about some loved ones who are ignoring God. Another who states there is no God. And, their active Christian family members who assure me there’s no problem – they are good people who help others. I agree that they are, but I’m concerned because of what the Bible tells us in all the counsel.

There are several scenes in the Bible that give us a description of God's throne. The one on my mind is described in Matthew 25:31-46. No, I won't copy all of the verses here, but it would be a good idea to read them all to understand where my thoughts led - and see if those thoughts can be followed.

But first, let's take a look at a couple of other verses:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:18-20 KJV)

To me all of this means that faith is necessary (backed up by Hebrews 11:7 - go ahead, look it up), but once there is faith, there will be good works. Please, take time to read around these three verses. Are there other verse that would negate any of them?

And think of how they fit in Matthew 12, when the sheep ask:

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (Matthew 25:37 KJV)

Or, when the goats ask:

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? (Matthew 25:44 KJV)

Do you find it strange they virtually asked the same question - when did we see you? One group responded to needs, while the other group did not even recognize the needs of their fellow man. Faith will bring forth good deeds – the fruit of believing Jesus and his teachings. The Bible also tells us how to have faith:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

… and, why:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

There were two destinations – the same two taught throughout the Bible – heaven and hell. I am concerned for my loved ones and want to share all the counsel of God. The entire word of God, the Bible.