The Gospel is the Power
When we are uncertain or unaware of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and of our new creation identity then we are more likely to be led astray by doctrines and teachings that are not anchored in gospel truth. Many messages communicate that we need to do something or add to what Christ has accomplished, we are then led into endless protocols, procedures and religious duties that place a heavy yoke and burden on our lives. What is supposed to be liberating actually ends up becoming oppressive and so heaviness and torment become our experience.
When I was involved in the hyper charismatic movement there were many doctrines that I was taught and believed that resulted in many issues in my life. Mystical/legalistic deliverance protocols, NAR apostle and prophet teachings, spiritual covering deception, revival culture expectations that were exhausting and burdensome. The list could go an and on of teachings that I ended up believing that led to bondage.
It can be very difficult to identify the oppressiveness, the manipulation and the control when you’re in it because you’re just trying to survive. The messages taught and communicated fill hearts with uncertainty of salvation and paint a warped picture of a God, one where He is very temperamental and difficult to please. If you don’t do just the right thing, pray enough or if you sin then He won’t move, He won’t send revival, He won’t heal, He won’t respond. So much of what is communicated is dependent upon the behavior and works of the people. When people who sincerely want to please God and do the right thing find themselves in this type of setting, they often will tolerate it just so they are not causing issues or “partnering” with the enemy to cause division. Something seems off but discernment is quickly diminished as the enemy attacking or seeking to “stop the move of God”.
The obligations and requirements seemed endless. Prayer almost every night of the week, pressing in, pushing and contending for revival, declaring and decreeing, addressing demons and strongholds through deliverance sessions and inner healing, going to conferences trying to get “breakthrough”. and trying to stay saved by not sinning/backsliding. The law makes sin come alive and so when you try to live by the law, there is no way that you can overcome sin. I was so sin conscious that I was literally, no exaggeration, repenting and asking for forgiveness hundreds of times a day. There was no rest and I began to burn out. I actually got to the point where I said to the Lord, “God, if this is what it is to follow you, I don’t think I can do it”. It was such a difficult time, BUT glory be to God, I found the gospel.
I remember when I first heard the message of grace and immediately thought to myself. “This is so different than what I am hearing at church or from the ministries I was following”. To be honest, it was all very confusing at first. Who was right? All of these people claiming to be speaking for God and teaching the Word were communicating totally different messages. But God bore witness in my heart of the truth, and I began to pursue an understanding of the gospel with all of my heart. In my pursuit of truth, I found the most amazing love and met a wonderful Father who was nothing like what I was perceiving Him to be. He is truly kind and He wasn’t angry at me or disappointed with me. He invited me into a relationship where the yoke is easy and the burden is light. For once, I finally had hope and I was excited about life. You see, grace IS the power of the gospel and it is through rightly understanding grace and faith righteousness that you truly become free.
I didn’t have to go after all of the lies and the weeds of the error I was taught in order to be free, as I continued to put the truth of the gospel in my heart the fruit in my life began to change and the error weeded itself out automatically. The gospel is that powerful. The truth of God’s Word, rightfully divided, is that powerful. When we focus on the all sufficiency of Christ and who we now are because of Him, our whole life will change. You will be able to discern religious error, you will be able to see when someone is putting a yoke of bondage on you, you will overcome the sin that once so easily entangled you, you will have peace that surpasses all understanding because you know and believe that everything you get is separate from your performance. It all has EVERYTHING to do with Jesus and His perfection and nothing to do with us. Righteousness is a gift that we cannot earn or maintain by good works.
The gospel announces that because of Christ we can be made whole, complete, be fully forgiven, made holy, become fully righteous and receive all spiritual blessings. We don’t have to strive, behave, perform, or do the right ritual to get God to move or give us anything. He has already moved through Christ and He has provided everything we could ever need. He loves us that much and Jesus is that amazing. When you are tempted to look at yourself, your works, your sin, your performance, your prayer life, your this or your that look to Jesus instead and you will never be ashamed. He did all of the heavy lifting so that we can rest in Him. Our only job is simply to believe and receive all of His promises by faith. He who promised is faithful.
