THE GOSPEL & THE SOCIAL GOSPEL:

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

By Bob Myhan

Many of the Lord's churches have gone the way of the modernistic de­nominations, abandoning the gospel for "a different gospel, which is not an­other" (Gal. 1:6-7). Paul, in the passage just quoted, used the word, “gospel,” in an ac­commodative sense. There was but one gos­pel. What he called “a different gospel” was a perversion of the gospel. And those who preached it were cursed. Likewise, the “social gospel” is “not an­other” gos­pel, at all, but a per­version of the gos­pel. How does the “social gos­pel” differ from the gos­pel? There at least five differ­ences.

DIFFERENT CONCERNS

Those who preach the “social gospel” are concerned with things like disease, poverty, delinquency, race relations, secu­lar education, and common meals. Those who preach the gospel are con­cerned with the spiritual welfare and eter­nal salvation of men’s souls (Luke 19:10; Mark 16:16).

DIFFERENT METHODS

Those who preach the “social gospel” use methods that treat symptoms, try­ing to make "Christians" via social re­form. Those who preach the gospel use methods that treat the spiritual disease—sin (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:23), reforming society by making Chris­tians (Titus 2:11-14).

A DIFFERENT MOTIVATION

Those who preach the “social gospel” are motivated by a desire for a better earthly life. Those who preach the gospel are motivated by the desire for an eternal home with God, the desire to avoid the hor­rors of hell, and love and gratitude to God for all He has done that we might have eternal happiness (1 Peter 1:3-12; 1 Tim. 4:6-8).

A DIFFERENT STANDARD

Those who preach the “social gospel” use the wisdom of the world as their stan­dard (1 Cor. 1:20-21). Those who preach the gospel employ the wisdom of God (James 3:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:25).

A DIFFERENT EMPHASIS

Those who preach the social “gospel” emphasize man’s material well-being. But those who preach the gospel stress man’s spiritual well-being (Matt. 6:31-33).

It is hoped that the Forest Hills church of Christ will never abandon the gospel for the social gospel, which has the wrong concerns, the wrong methods, the wrong motivations, the wrong standard and the wrong emphasis. &

ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

By Ron Boatright

Man has tried to explain away eternal punishment with various false theo­ries such as: Universalism, Purga­tory, Annihilationism. etc. but Jesus says in Matt. 25:46, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the right­eous into eternal life." Everlasting punish­ment in Hell will last just as long as eternal life in Heaven. Rev. 14:11 says, "And the smoke of their torment ascends for­ever and ever; and they have no rest day or night." The torment goes on forever and ever, without end.

In eternal torment there will be no relief. In Luke 16:23-24 Christ is telling of a cer­tain rich man, "And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abra­ham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." There will be no relief. People will be begging for even just one drop of water, but they will not get it.

Jesus is trying to warn us of Hell. He says in Mark 9:43-44, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go into Hell, into fire that shall never be quenched, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." It will will be horrible to be constantly eaten on by flesh eating worms. In Hell people will be "cast into outer dark­ness where there will be weeping, wailing and gnash­ing of teeth" (Matt. 22:13-14). It will be a nightmare that will never end. There will be no second chances. To­day we must be serious about the eternal destiny of our souls. Let's make going to Heaven our number one priority in this life. & [Via The Reminder, Vol. 5, No. 5]

WHEN ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OF YOU

Author Uncertain

Some people have the idea that a Christian ought to be loved and ac­cepted by all. Their belief is if people are offended and angry about your actions or attitude, there is something wrong with you.

Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). He told His disciples that they would be hated by the world, just as He was hated by the world (John 15:18). Why was the Son of God, Who loved the world enough to die for it, hated by the world? Because He taught the truth and exposed their sin (John 15:22). All who follow in the steps of Jesus will be hated and persecuted by the world (John 15:20).

Hatred will not only come from the athe­ist and irreligious, but also from those who claim an allegiance to God. The Jews were very religious, yet they are the ones who pushed for the death of Christ. Among first century Christians, there were those who hated the apostle Paul and strove to un­dermine his work (Phil. 1:12-18). Some were classified as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).

When all men speak well of you, you are not a servant of Christ (cf. Gal. 1:10). A faithful child of God will be despised by the world and those who pay lip service to the Lord. Amen! &