Sunday, April 7, 2013

A Time for the Gospel

By now you have likely heard the heartbreaking news of the suicide death of Rick Warren's son. You have probably read the many blog posts and Facebook status ranging from "pray for the Warrens" to "this is a judgment from God just as God took Pharaohs son." Sadly, what I am not seeing is anyone proclaiming the need for the Gospel in this.

In truth, there are only two categories of people in this world, believers and unbelievers. And each of us must have some sort of opinion as to which category Rick Warren falls into. I'm am not about to start that debate here, but rather I hope to show you how in either case, he needs the gospel.

If you believe Rick Warren to be an unbeliever, who has false assurance through a false gospel, now is the time for the true Gospel. Perhaps this might be something which God will use to strip away all dependence on self and good works and cause the Warren family to repent and believe the one TRUE gospel.

If you believe that Rick Warren is a believer, though perhaps misguided in areas of soteriology and ecclesiology, now is the time for the Gospel. Now is the time to point the Warren family to the truth and the comfort that can only be found in the gospel.

As for proclaiming judgments of God in this situation, we need to refrain from pointless speculation. What we know is this, that the wages of sin is death and that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All we, like sheep, have gone astray. But God so loved the world that He sent His Son, Who existed as God and with God from all eternity, to be born of a virgin, live a perfectly sinless life, and die on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for our sins. He rose again on the third day and ascended to the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for us. If we repent - turn from serving self and sin - and believe in Christ Jesus He will forgive our sins and grant us eternal life through His precious blood. All of us will one day die and face judgment, and we will either be found in Christ, or we will hear those dreadful words "Away from me, I never knew you." That is what we can know from Scripture. And that is true prophecy. Pharaoh and David had authoritative prophets of God to proclaim the judgement of God. We are not authoritative prophets of God in the Old testament sense of the word "prophet" but we can all "prophesy" when we accurately proclaim the Word of God. We don't need to speculate about God's judgment in this situation, it is futile. Just preach the Gospel, friends.

4 comments:

  1. I agree with you. Our purpose here is to glorify God and share the Gospel. I don't agree with Rick Warren after reading his book but I am sad for their family as they walk through this season of grief. I have learned that I don't draw closer to God during prosperity like I do when I am in a storm. We need to pray for their family. This is so sad to hear.

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  2. Mark Driscoll offered up a wonderful response to those who hate. Of course, many fundies have a problem with him, too. Isn't it sad, but it will never change until our Lord appears. This is what keeps Satan chuckling in the corner.

    http://pastormark.tv/2013/04/10/rick-warren-critics-and-the-hope-of-god-s-son


    Personally, I feel we should also "meet" the person we are going to offer up our opinions on. Not always possible or realistic I know. A dear friend of mine, one of the most Scripturally grounded and godly older woman I know attended Rick Warren's counseling seminars. She and her husband were sent by our church years ago so they could minister to those in need in our own church. I asked her the other day if she felt Pastor Warren was the real dear, in light of the persecution this man and his wife are going through, yet again. She enthusiastically said YES! Talk to someone before you judge their heart she told me. I will remember that.

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Your comments are such a blessing to me.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. " Hebrews 10:23-25