The Challenge of Resistance
Throughout history, the Gospel has faced resistance from those who cling to their own beliefs and traditions. This resistance can manifest in various forms, from outright persecution to subtle forms of opposition.
The problem has always been to encourage the bride of Christ in the face of obnoxious hostility rebelling against the Gospel.
Let's not be surprised to learn that this is by no means a modern day problem.
We find that from the very beginning of the spreading of the Gospel, those who regarded themselves as religious leaders together with a rebellious mob, severely protested the love of Grace.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh
Paul, a key figure in the early Christian church, encountered significant resistance in his ministry. In his letters to the Corinthians, he addressed the challenges posed by false teachers and their distorted versions of the Gospel.
Paul addressed this very situation with the congregation at Corinth. (Remember our previous post here?).
But some find pleasure in resisting the Good-News-only-Gospel.
After having written a first letter to them, Paul had to resort to writing a second whilst on his way to the Corinthians.
The problem
The Corinthians had lent out their ears to perverse preachers of the mixed-gospel and they were corrupting their ways. The result - utter confusion.
The solution
The Gospel of Christ.
Paul emphasized the purity and simplicity of the true Gospel, contrasting it with the false teachings that were circulating. He warned against being deceived by those who presented a different Jesus or a different spirit.
Paul cuts to the heart of every believer
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Co 11:1-4
Paul says to the Corinthians that he had espoused them (us) to one Husband (Jesus), that he may present us as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Wow!
What's this about a Virgin?
Yes, pure and untouched by perverted mixed messages and deception and ominous motives (of the devil).
One in Christ.
And the mixed-gospel teacher?
If anyone should come and preach a Jesus who is not good, you will have to put up with that yourself without the help of God. And so, Paul talks of any form of religion including man-made christianity that is not of the purity of the Gospel.
A special word of intimacy
The Holy Spirit shared with me that there are two ways of receiving, depending what or whom.
There is an interesting word play in verse 4.
We find two Greek words both translated into English as received on various occasions. Here in this passage they occur as receive and accepted. Both have the exact same meaning, but it matters how and where you use them.
The first is the word lambanō that we have dealt with extensively here. Lambanō is the word for receive or accept or to take hold of, used in the active sense in relation to the object, such as actively taking hold of ... salvation, a book or healing or a gift, etc.
Lambanō is also the word that Jesus uses when He says that everyone who asks receives (Mat 7:8) and where He says that we have freely received and therefore should freely give (Mat 10:8). It is also the word used for the Spirit of freedom that we have received (Rom 8:15).
The second word is the Greek word dechomai with exactly the same meaning, but used in a more passive sense with regards to the subject. It is used in a close personal relationship. Dechomai appears in the context of receiving or accepting a person. The word conveys a certain passion and is used when Jesus talks about receiving children (Mat 18:5), people (Luke 9:11), us receiving Jesus (2 Cor 7:15) (Luke 9:53), God receiving us (Act 7:59) ...
Strategic selective words to be exact
The Word of God is just so precise and exact.
We can see this so beautifully in verse 4 above where it refers to the receiving of another spirit and Gospel. The Greek word lambanō is used, making this other spirit and gospel mere objects rather than persons.
Towards the end of the passage, it talks about that which ye have not accepted. Here scripture uses the word dechomai, emphasizing that this false gospel can/should not be personalized nor we get passionately intimate with it.
Obstacles to Receiving
Several factors can hinder our ability to receive the Gospel fully:
Pride: Pride can prevent us from acknowledging our need for salvation and surrendering to God's finished work.
Fear: Fear of the unknown or fear of rejection can keep us from receiving Love and taking the step of faith.
Religious Tradition: Preconceived notions and religious traditions can blind us to the truth of the Gospel and counter the finished work of God.
Distorted Teachings: False teachings and heresies can lead to confusion and hinder our receiving and understanding of the true Gospel.
Overcoming Obstacles
To receive the Gospel fully, we should:
Humble ourselves: Acknowledge our need for God's grace and surrender to His completed work.
Overcome fear: Trust in God's love, receive and embrace what He has done for us.
Examine our beliefs: Be open to re-evaluating our preconceived notions and religious traditions and receive the pure unadulterated Gospel of Grace.
Seek the truth: Actively seek out the true Gospel and reject false teachings, listening to His Spirit of Truth first and foremost.
The Benefits of Receiving
Receiving the Gospel brings immeasurable blessings:
Salvation: We are saved from sin and death, once and for all and we are heirs in His kingdom with all the benefits, privileges and blessings.
Eternal life: We receive the gift of eternal life from Jesus (Life Himself) to be with God.
Transformation: The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and minds and opens our hearts to receive the unadulterated Gospel.
Peace and joy: Filled with the Holy Spirit, we experience inner peace and joy that surpasses understanding.
Purpose: We discover our true purpose in life and the fulfilment that comes from who spared nothing so that we may obtain everything he accomplished.
Look at this scripture again. Even in the choice of words used here, God’s Word never fails.
By overcoming the obstacle of a corrupted, mixed-gospel and seeking the true Gospel, we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace.
HalleluYAH!