Why We Need To Be Unified In the Gospel

Whether you call yourself a “Christian,” “child of God,” or a “believer,” Jesus should be the foundation of your faith for He is the cornerstone of the Church (Matthew 21:42).

Peter proclaimed: “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’” — Acts 4:11

Paul wrote:

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” — 1 Corinthians 3:11

There is no Church without Jesus. There is no salvation without Jesus. There is no other way to God or to His Kingdom without Jesus.

As members of the Church, we should be sharing the same message which is one of hope — the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How do we know we’re sharing the same message?

All true believers are indwelled by the Holy Spirit also called the Spirit of Truth. Through this Spirit, the message we share will be the same Truth who is Jesus Christ.

Why is it so important to share this message with as many people as possible?

There are many reasons.

One is to fulfill Jesus’ “Great Commission” of spreading the good news of salvation to all nations. Two, sharing this message of hope to others is seen as an act of love and obedience to the Lord. Three, we’ve been commanded to love our neighbors (as well as our enemies), what better way to show this love than by sharing the message of hope with them?

As Christians, we should desire to see people find hope, purpose and peace in their lives — these are only found in Jesus Christ.

But what’s with the urgency?

In Romans 13:11, Paul says, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up; our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Paul says, “Time is running out.” Do you hear the urgency in those words?

Paul’s words contain a warning. We are rushing headlong toward eternity. Each of us is terminally ill. How terrible that many don’t prepare for life’s end. It is in this life that you prepare for eternity. After death, it’s too late. (Credit: The Message — Live Like You’re Dying)

Hebrews 9:27 says, “We die only once, and then we are judged.”

Because we are not promised tomorrow, it is crucial to get the message of salvation out to the world.

But I thought that ultimately, we’re all going to Heaven.

Didn’t Jesus die for everyone?

God sent His son to die on the cross in our place for He desires no one to perish (eternal death) — but we must choose to accept His son, Jesus. It’s a gift that needs to be accepted by the recipient.

John 3:16 says that Jesus died for the sins of the world, but only those who believe in Him will be saved.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Romans 10:13

When we place our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell in us sealing us forever as His own (Ephesians 1:13). With this seal, we’re able to enter His eternal Kingdom (Ephesians 1:14).

It’s not only urgent because we don’t know when’s our final moment of life, it’s urgent because Jesus can come for His Church at any time.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. — 1 Thessalonians 5:2

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Those left behind would go through the Tribulation period that will end with the second coming of Jesus Christ. His coming would end God’s grace for mankind. Those who still reject God and His gift of salvation through His Son Jesus will face judgment and be condemned for all time.

As the Church, we must be unified in our message to the world, the message of hope and of salvation, both of which are found only in Jesus Christ.

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” — Revelation 22:7

AN ARTIST’S RENDERING OF THE RAPTURE/CHRIST’S 2ND COMING