DISCIPLE

by William R. Newell This is the doctrine that Jesus Christ came to reform society (whatever "society" is!); that He came to abate the evils of selfishness, give a larger "vision" to mankind; and, through His example and precepts, bring about such a change in human affairs, social, political, economic and domestic, as would realize all man's deep longings for a peaceful, happy existence upon earth, ushering in what these teachers are pleased to call, "the Kingdom of God."     1. Now, in the first place, Jesus Christ came to save sinners, not "society."  He said, "The Son of Man hath authority on earth to forgive sins." Now, sins are individual transgressions against a personal God; there is no such thing in Scripture as these social-gospellers dream of, - a condition of "society" to be "changed" or "ameliorated."  All that really exists is the guilt of a vast number of really guilty sinners....

  “There is a common worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have—a cheap Christianity which offends no one, and requires no sacrifice, and costs nothing, and is worth nothing.” J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)     “The preaching of the gospel must come with the understanding the messenger will not be popular and that he will be called to stand where Jesus stood before the world: to be admired by many, loved by a few, and rejected by the vast majority.” A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)  for excellent articles, visit:  http://www.bibleandlife.org/Newsletters