The Most Hated Truth

[bdavidc]

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

 

[ScottA]

View attachment 60808
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

https://e-tacklebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hated-truth.mp3

Welcome!

That explanation states the matter well enough within our closed, Christian circle. But it falls short of what the non-Christian would say, or how they would more likely answer the question: "Why is this message so offensive?" Most non-Christians simply go to bed tired after doing what they can all day in an imperfect world--their best perhaps, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Their question would be more like, "Sin, what sin? I don't want to hear it. Tell that to the people making everything hard for the rest of us."

They're not offended. And they don't hate the truth. But they don't respect being told they are a sinner, any more than they like trying, when other people are not. That's their world.

So instead of the typical Christian message speaking to them, they keep their nose to the grindstone--those who are trying to be good people that is, until the world as it is fails them. In which case, they don't end up at church because we're all doing such a good job, but because life still has a way of breaking people.

When we understand that, our message is more like Christ's own.

 

[Hey You!]

View attachment 60808
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

– This verse affirms the universal nature of sin—everyone is guilty before God.

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner. In our natural state, we resist this message, preferring to think of ourselves as mostly good, misunderstood, or just flawed in minor ways. But the Word of God speaks clearly and forcefully against that delusion. Sooner or later, no matter how persistently someone denies it, the truth will stand—because every soul will one day stand before God, and there will be no excuses, no defense, no escape.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart. Romans 3:10–12 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” This is not just a bleak description—it is a divine indictment. Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature. As a result, we are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. The gospel, though it is the power of God for salvation, is foolishness to those who are perishing, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This condition brings not only corruption—it brings divine judgment. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The death here is not limited to physical death; it includes eternal separation from God under His wrath. Hebrews 9:27 warns, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Sin brings consequences—eternal ones. And John 3:36 makes the choice starkly clear: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Why is this message so offensive? Because it confronts human pride. It declares that we are not good, not in control, not capable of saving ourselves. It tears down every illusion of self-righteousness and confronts us with the reality that we stand condemned apart from divine mercy. But denying the truth doesn't change it—it only hardens the heart and seals the judgment that is to come.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every sin—whether in thought, word, or deed—is a direct offense against God’s perfect standard. And because He is just, He cannot simply overlook or ignore sin. Forgiveness is not a matter of God sweeping sin under the rug. Justice must be satisfied.

That is where the mercy of God shines. Though we could never repay the debt of our sin, God made a way. Jesus Christ, the spotless, sinless Son of God, willingly came to bear the punishment we deserved. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” On the cross, Christ bore the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. His death was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. When He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the price was paid in full.

Through His resurrection, God confirmed that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted, and now forgiveness is freely offered to all who will repent and believe. As Colossians 2:13–14 says, “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior. The truth is hard—but it is also glorious. For those who believe, the burden of sin is lifted, the debt is canceled, and eternal life is the gift of grace. The most hated doctrine becomes the doorway to the most precious reality—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

https://e-tacklebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hated-truth.mp3

As @ScottA said, welcome @bdavidc ...

You are right on; the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom. We like to use Friendship Evangelism, but this approach delays a friend's Wisdom 'beginning'. Saint Paul said he became All things in hope to win some; sometimes Friendship Evangelism is called for; but eventually the Fear of God is required...

I don't worry about the argument that Fear is really Adoration. The Gospel allays Fear; but the Law sows the Fear of God. The Fear of God is the beginning of finding Wisdom in Believing the Gospel...

 

[Hey You!]

As @ScottA said, welcome @bdavidc ...

You are right on; the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom. We like to use Friendship Evangelism, but this approach delays a friend's Wisdom beginning. Saint Paul said he became All things in hope to win some; sometimes Friendship Evangelism is called for; but eventually the Fear of God is required...

I don't worry about the argument that Fear is really Adoration. The Gospel allays Fear; but the Law sows the Fear of God. The Fear of God is the beginning of finding Wisdom in Believing the Gospel...

Shadow of Death ~ by ReverendRV * September 22

Psalm 23:4 KJV; Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

After Church was over on a Sunday, a family gathered into their car and started home. The Dad said, “That sure was a good Sermon today!” All agreed, but shortly the youngest spoke up about something she had heard the preacher say. “Daddy, does the shadow of death hurt?” She had a troubled look on her face, so the father thought on this so he could give a careful answer; and as he was driving down the road the answer came to him. He said, “Do you see that truck coming this way, and its shadow riding the ground in our lane?” She looked and nodded yes. “Which would you rather be run over by; the truck or its shadow?” The little girl said, ‘The shadow!’. As the truck drove by, their car passed through its shadow; and his daughter didn’t feel a thing…

Death has a 100% success rate. ~ In the beginning of the world, Adam and Eve Sinned against God and because of this, Sin and death entered into the world. People would begin to be like their first parents, rebelling against God. People began to Kill, Lie, and Steal. Sin spread like wild fire even to the point that Adam’s son Cain killed his brother Able early in history; Murder being one of the most hated Sins ever. We can agree with the Apostle Paul when he says that we do judge people who do such a Wicked thing to be guilty; don’t you agree that Murder is evil? But we may not be so quick to agree with Paul when we learn that he says ‘for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things’. You say, “How could he ever say that because I agree Cain is a Murderer, that I am a Murderer??” Jesus says that Hatred is Murder; have you ever Hated anyone? Then you are guilty of Sinning against God and are walking through the valley of death at twilight where the shadows are long, waiting for a landslide of rocks to fall from the mountain of death to kill you; sending you to Hell…

What you need is a light so the shadows can be dispelled! The Apostle Peter describes the light of the Bible this way, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” The Bible teaches us the Gospel of the Savior. Jesus Christ is the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. But Life, eternal life, comes to men who believe that Jesus can Save them from their Sins! Jesus never Sinned but died a criminals death on a Cross as the substitutionary sacrifice to make Atonement for Sins against God. He was buried for three days but rose alive and ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the risen Savior Jesus Christ, without Works lest we boast. Repent of your Sinful ways, and Confess Jesus Christ to be your Lord God. Find a Bible believing Church to help you be the best disciple you can be. ~ When Jesus is with you and death comes, the landslide will roll over you with its shadow instead of its stones. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Amen and amen!

Isaiah 9:2 KJV; The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 

[bdavidc]

Welcome!

That explanation states the matter well enough within our closed, Christian circle.

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, I agree—that’s exactly why I shared this on a Christian message board. Lately, I’ve come across more and more people in Christian spaces who deny that we owe a sin debt to God, which is deeply concerning. I wanted to see how others on this message board understand this, since Scripture is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The entire foundation of the gospel rests on the truth that Jesus paid the debt we could never repay. Thank you for your response—it's a good point, thank you.

 

[ScottA]

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, I agree—that’s exactly why I shared this on a Christian message board. Lately, I’ve come across more and more people in Christian spaces who deny that we owe a sin debt to God, which is deeply concerning. I wanted to see how others on this message board understand this, since Scripture is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The entire foundation of the gospel rests on the truth that Jesus paid the debt we could never repay. Thank you for your response—it's a good point, thank you.

Yes, even (or especially) among the church, the common message does not penetrate the world's own armor and influence. Much of what is preached passes overhead of many, who while tucked into their own worldly life and concerns, are only comforted with a "someday" comfort of things to come. Indeed, the promises of God are a comfort, but faced with the would-be reality of this world every hour of every day, "someday" comfort is as far as it penetrates. It's as if, although comforted and believing, there is an acceptance that it all remains mostly out of reach, as something only to look forward to.

Even so, the work of the church is good. Could it be better? Sure. But things are the way they are, not because the world is so effective in thwarting the message of the gospel, but because God--who in spite of the world--is in control, and has purposed the world as it is to fulfill His own purpose of only being so effective until the end. Why? Because, only with "here a little, there a little" gains, will the message be spread equally and fully over all generations. In other words, just as Jesus could have called down a multitude of angels, but withheld, He could have wrapped up all of God's promises (except for one) before the message went out unto the gentiles--cutting us out of those same promises. But God--God had/has bigger plans that do indeed include every nation and people.

And so, this "someday" gospel dispersed to many nations by numerous interpretations and denominations--is more than a manifestation our own successes and failures, of good kings and bad, of our own miracles, wars and rumors of war--even of our own Pharisees--God is indeed working all things together for good, for those who love Him. Still.

And only in the end--as Daniel and John both gave witness--will "all truth" and "the mystery of God as He declared to His servants the prophets" be revealed. In which time the message should turn from "someday" to "today"--just as it always was. This is that time. But who among us--what preacher or teacher, has even anticipated its coming in such a way?

 

[bdavidc]

Your reflection draws attention to the tension many believers feel between the promises of God and the pressing realities of daily life. Yet, from the testimony of Scripture, we are reminded that the gospel is not merely a “someday” comfort, but a present and living truth grounded in what Christ has already accomplished. Jesus did not come only to give us future hope; He came to meet our deepest need—our sin—and to reconcile us to God now. As Paul writes in Colossians 2:14, Christ “canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” The debt of sin isn’t merely postponed; it has been fully paid by the blood of Jesus. That is not a future promise but a finished work, and because of it, we stand justified before God today.

While it is true that the full unfolding of God’s kingdom awaits His appointed time, we must not overlook the present power of the gospel. Romans 6 reminds us that we who are in Christ are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God. The Holy Spirit, given now, is not a placeholder for something better later, but the very presence of God within us, bearing fruit and granting boldness, comfort, and conviction. The veil has been torn. The promises are not out of reach—they have reached us already in Christ.

So while God's purposes unfold in seasons, and though the world may seem to press hard against the message, the victory has already been won. God is not waiting to act—He has acted in Christ. And today, now, is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The message isn’t one of delay, but of fulfillment. The “someday” has become “today” in Jesus, and that truth must not only be proclaimed, but embraced and lived, even as we await the final revelation of all things.

 

[ScottA]

Your reflection draws attention to the tension many believers feel between the promises of God and the pressing realities of daily life. Yet, from the testimony of Scripture, we are reminded that the gospel is not merely a “someday” comfort, but a present and living truth grounded in what Christ has already accomplished. Jesus did not come only to give us future hope; He came to meet our deepest need—our sin—and to reconcile us to God now. As Paul writes in Colossians 2:14, Christ “canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” The debt of sin isn’t merely postponed; it has been fully paid by the blood of Jesus. That is not a future promise but a finished work, and because of it, we stand justified before God today.

While it is true that the full unfolding of God’s kingdom awaits His appointed time, we must not overlook the present power of the gospel. Romans 6 reminds us that we who are in Christ are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God. The Holy Spirit, given now, is not a placeholder for something better later, but the very presence of God within us, bearing fruit and granting boldness, comfort, and conviction. The veil has been torn. The promises are not out of reach—they have reached us already in Christ.

So while God's purposes unfold in seasons, and though the world may seem to press hard against the message, the victory has already been won. God is not waiting to act—He has acted in Christ. And today, now, is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The message isn’t one of delay, but of fulfillment. The “someday” has become “today” in Jesus, and that truth must not only be proclaimed, but embraced and lived, even as we await the final revelation of all things.

Yes, we both (and many of us) know that all to be true, and yet if and when the "today" message is preached, it has not been greatly effective. This we can know by the takeaway, walkaway position of many who hear it--many, if not most, wanted to see their life change in greater ways than they actually did--because the world has remained much the same. From which preachers during these times of the gentiles have even taken up and preached "waiting upon the Lord"--which was first preached to those who waited for His first appearing. Many believing that message turn and likewise go back to Egypt (the world). Again, this is evident with the actions of the many, many who become the Sunday or holiday Christians, if at all.

But these are not only the failures of men, but were to be so according to the greater plan of God. We have been under restraint by He who restrains. The point being...that when He is taken out of the way--the message is no longer to be of "waiting" (upon the Lord), or as if only among fellow believers who speak the language.

PS, when replying to a comment or post, please use the "Reply" feature at the lower righthand corner of the post, so the person is alerted to your reply.

 

[bdavidc]

Yes, we both (and many of us) know that all to be true, and yet if and when the "today" message is preached, it has not been greatly effective. This we can know by the takeaway, walkaway position of many who hear it--many, if not most, wanted to see their life change in greater ways than they actually did--because the world has remained much the same. From which preachers during these times of the gentiles have even taken up and preached "waiting upon the Lord"--which was first preached to those who waited for His first appearing. Many believing that message turn and likewise go back to Egypt (the world). Again, this is evident with the actions of the many, many who become the Sunday or holiday Christians, if at all.

But these are not only the failures of men, but were to be so according to the greater plan of God. We have been under restraint by He who restrains. The point being...that when He is taken out of the way--the message is no longer to be of "waiting" (upon the Lord), or as if only among fellow believers who speak the language.

PS, when replying to a comment or post, please use the "Reply" feature at the lower righthand corner of the post, so the person is alerted to your reply.

You’ve touched on a real tension that echoes throughout Scripture and the experience of many believers: the apparent disconnect between the powerful, present reality of the gospel and the slow, often frustrating process of transformation in a fallen world. It’s true that many hear the good news and yet feel little change, slipping back into old patterns or growing weary in the wait. But this, too, is not outside of what God has revealed. Jesus spoke of seed falling on different types of soil—some springing up quickly but withering, others choked by thorns (Matthew 13). The call to perseverance has always been part of the Christian life, because the kingdom of God grows not by spectacle but by steady, sometimes hidden work (Mark 4:26–29).


You’re right that this isn't merely a human failing; there is a sovereign plan unfolding. The restraint you mentioned—likely a reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7—points to a divine timetable that governs history, including seasons of spiritual dullness or resistance. Yet even in this, the command remains: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). The gospel is not ineffective because the world is slow to change—it is powerful, but it confronts hearts that are often hard. Some will hear and fall away, but others will be changed forever.


The danger is in retreating into silence or apathy because of the visible results. The truth must still be spoken. The message is not only for the ears of believers or the curious—it is the living power of God unto salvation. The gospel, even when it seems to fall flat, is never void. God’s Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and while many may walk away, some will believe, and those who do are not just waiting—they are being transformed, even now. So we press on, not because we always see the fruit, but because we know the One who gives it.

 

[ScottA]

You’ve touched on a real tension that echoes throughout Scripture and the experience of many believers: the apparent disconnect between the powerful, present reality of the gospel and the slow, often frustrating process of transformation in a fallen world. It’s true that many hear the good news and yet feel little change, slipping back into old patterns or growing weary in the wait. But this, too, is not outside of what God has revealed. Jesus spoke of seed falling on different types of soil—some springing up quickly but withering, others choked by thorns (Matthew 13). The call to perseverance has always been part of the Christian life, because the kingdom of God grows not by spectacle but by steady, sometimes hidden work (Mark 4:26–29).


You’re right that this isn't merely a human failing; there is a sovereign plan unfolding. The restraint you mentioned—likely a reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7—points to a divine timetable that governs history, including seasons of spiritual dullness or resistance. Yet even in this, the command remains: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). The gospel is not ineffective because the world is slow to change—it is powerful, but it confronts hearts that are often hard. Some will hear and fall away, but others will be changed forever.


The danger is in retreating into silence or apathy because of the visible results. The truth must still be spoken. The message is not only for the ears of believers or the curious—it is the living power of God unto salvation. The gospel, even when it seems to fall flat, is never void. God’s Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and while many may walk away, some will believe, and those who do are not just waiting—they are being transformed, even now. So we press on, not because we always see the fruit, but because we know the One who gives it.

The reason I initially replied to your Original Post question: "Why is this message so offensive?" (For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)...is because for the past 2,000 years we gentiles and Christians have been inside our own inner court, so to speak. And just as when Jesus first came the Shepherd was struck and the sheep scattered, we too have been scattered. This is the frustration that causes a question like that.

Thus, "lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" has come to its climax. So, for a long time now "pride" was indeed the reason why people were offended. But now it is more a matter of self defense. We have come to a point of squaring off in our corners and holding our ground--not so much because it is right, but because it is so ingrained in us to do so. This is our season of legalism and lockstep, regardless of our beliefs. Whatever our thing is, that is the thing we stand and fight for--whatever it is! And this is the way it is both within the church, and without.

Meanwhile, just as those similar times experienced by Israel were times of great change--we too are now on the precipice of even greater change.

Be prepared to be shaken.

 

[Scott Downey]

Acts 10:43
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

And for us who believe, all our sins have been remitted, and not imputed against our account

Romans 4

New King James Version

​

Abraham Justified by Faith​

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father[a] has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was [b]accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted [c]as grace but as debt.

David Celebrates the Same Truth​

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Abraham Justified Before Circumcision​

9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted Through Faith​

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [d]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”


23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

 

[Scott Downey]

When we believed in Christ we then have our place in God's new covenant through Christ's blood, and our sins and lawless deeds God remembers no more.

Mark 14

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper​

22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, [f]eat; this is My body.”

23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the [g]new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 And when they had sung [h]a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

 

[Scott Downey]

Hebrews 8​

​

New King James Version​

​

​

The New Priestly Service​

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the [a]sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

A New Covenant​

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins [b]and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

 

[Scott Downey]

Colossians 2

Not Legalism but Christ​

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body [h]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the [i]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [j]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the [k]substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has [l]not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

20 [m]Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and [n]neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

 

[Scott Downey]

Which Lord? God-the-Son, God-the-Ghost, or God-the-Father?????????

You are making a mockery of the Godhead

Colossians 2

For I want you to know what a great conflict[a] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all [g]principality and power.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The above verses prove the Godhead includes Father and Son together as God, and yes, it is the mystery of God.

 

[Scott Downey]

What is the "Godhead"? God has a head?

Come-on, give it a rest. Scripture says it is true.

 

[Kokyu]

People go to great lengths to deny, distort, or soften the most hated and uncomfortable truth revealed in Scripture: that every human being is a sinner.

Yes, some do. Mostly, though, at least among the unsaved, they appear to just ignore this doctrine of the faith. I find that it is professing Christians, actually, who are shying away, more and more, from this truth. A prominent example would be Joel Osteen (and his ilk). In general, though, the Christians around me are profoundly uncomfortable broaching this truth in conversation with one another, let alone the lost.

Scripture does not present sin as a minor mistake or a collection of poor choices—it reveals it as a deep corruption of the human heart.

I'd suggest that sin isn't the corruption of the human heart but the effect of a heart corrupted by the natural selfishness of the unregenerated Adamic nature. All sins are just symptoms of the Old Self (Ro. 6:6) in control of one's mind and heart.

Sin is not merely something we do; it is who we are by nature.

I'd be much more inclined to say that we are, by nature, deeply selfish, which always produces sin. I can't think of a Bible verse that actually says that our nature is one of sin. We have a fleshly/carnal nature, a self-centered, rebellious nature, an Adamic nature, a spiritually-unregenerate nature, but I'm not aware of Scripture that says my nature is sin. Yes, I commit sin, I enact sinful behaviors, and hold sinful thoughts and attitudes, but these are, I think manifestations, or symptoms, of something else, they are "sparks" from the "bonfire" of Self out from under God's control. A car engine is not the exhaust, noise and motion of the car that it produces, right? Though the engine and its effects are very closely related, they aren't identical. Likewise, it seems to me that the "engine" of my self-centered nature produces the "exhaust, noise and motion" of sin, but these effects aren't identical with what has produced them.

Sin is more than a moral flaw—it is a debt owed to a holy and righteous God.

Umm... sin is a debt? Scripture says my sins incurs a debt, of sorts, but my sin isn't itself a debt, its disobedience to God.

This is the only hope for sinners: not denial, not self-improvement, but full surrender to the Savior.

Submission to God is vital, yes. But He also says to us in His word that, along with faith in Christ as Savior and submission to him as Lord (Ro. 10:9-10), there must also be repentance and confession of our sin. We won't trust in, and submit to, Christ as we should unless and until we first change our minds (repent) about ourselves, our sinfulness, God and our need of a Savior. When we have truly done so, it is natural and necessary to confess, or admit to, our sinful rebelliousness toward God and indicate our wholehearted agreement with the truth of the Gospel (1 Jn. 1:9; Ro. 10:9-10). In consequence of doing these things, submission to God, to Christ, is obvious and natural (and commanded of God, therefore - Ja. 4:6-10; 1 Pe. 5:6; Ro. 6:13-22; Ro. 12:1).

But, you know, in my experience, what primarily makes the Gospel so uninteresting to the lost, and its hard truths doubly offensive to them, is the profound lack of evidence of the supernatural life and work of God in those who claim to be His. I don't mean the hysteria, sensuality and blasphemy of the hyper-charismatics (Todd White, Kenneth Copeland, Mike Bickles, Benny Hinn, etc.), but the radical holiness, peace, love, joy, gentleness, wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit within them (Ga. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Ja. 3:17-18). There are few things more persuasive of the Christian's claims concerning the Gospel than the supernatural life of Jesus filling them and flowing out of them (Ro. 8:29; 2 Co. 3:18; 4:7-11).

When I worked with Christian youth, years ago now, this was their biggest problem with their faith. They watched adults who claimed to be indwelt by God's Spirit (and professed to have been so for many decades) and saw no evidence of the Spirit's supernatural presence and work in those adults. These "mature" believers were, essentially, just like the unsaved adults in their manner of living, afflicted by the same desires, attitudes, distractions and values of the unsaved world. What disappointment and doubt - and deep cynicism - these youth often took up in the vacuum of concrete evidence of the supernatural life and work of the Spirit in the "senior" (spiritually-speaking) members of the faith. And how reluctant this vacuum made the Christian youth I was working with to share their faith with the lost! It wasn't the hard truth of sin that silenced them but the profound absence of any clear proof of the presence of God within those who had already responded to the Gospel and "walked with God" for decades.

 

[Scott Downey]

Yes, some do. Mostly, though, at least among the unsaved, they appear to just ignore this doctrine of the faith. I find that it is professing Christians, actually, who are shying away, more and more, from this truth. A prominent example would be Joel Osteen (and his ilk). In general, though, the Christians around me are profoundly uncomfortable broaching this truth in conversation with one another, let alone the lost.



I'd suggest that sin isn't the corruption of the human heart but the effect of a heart corrupted by the natural selfishness of the unregenerated Adamic nature. All sins are just symptoms of the Old Self (Ro. 6:6) in control of one's mind and heart.



I'd be much more inclined to say that we are, by nature, deeply selfish, which always produces sin. I can't think of a Bible verse that actually says that our nature is one of sin. We have a fleshly/carnal nature, a self-centered, rebellious nature, an Adamic nature, a spiritually-unregenerate nature, but I'm not aware of Scripture that says my nature is sin. Yes, I commit sin, I enact sinful behaviors, and hold sinful thoughts and attitudes, but these are, I think manifestations, or symptoms, of something else, they are "sparks" from the "bonfire" of Self out from under God's control. A car engine is not the exhaust, noise and motion of the car that it produces, right? Though the engine and its effects are very closely related, they aren't identical. Likewise, it seems to me that the "engine" of my self-centered nature produces the "exhaust, noise and motion" of sin, but these effects aren't identical with what has produced them.



Umm... sin is a debt? Scripture says my sins incurs a debt, of sorts, but my sin isn't itself a debt, its disobedience to God.



Submission to God is vital, yes. But He also says to us in His word that, along with faith in Christ as Savior and submission to him as Lord (Ro. 10:9-10), there must also be repentance and confession of our sin. We won't trust in, and submit to, Christ as we should unless and until we first change our minds (repent) about ourselves, our sinfulness, God and our need of a Savior. When we have truly done so, it is natural and necessary to confess, or admit to, our sinful rebelliousness toward God and indicate our wholehearted agreement with the truth of the Gospel (1 Jn. 1:9; Ro. 10:9-10). In consequence of doing these things, submission to God, to Christ, is obvious and natural (and commanded of God, therefore - Ja. 4:6-10; 1 Pe. 5:6; Ro. 6:13-22; Ro. 12:1).

But, you know, in my experience, what primarily makes the Gospel so uninteresting to the lost, and its hard truths doubly offensive to them, is the profound lack of evidence of the supernatural life and work of God in those who claim to be His. I don't mean the hysteria, sensuality and blasphemy of the hyper-charismatics (Todd White, Kenneth Copeland, Mike Bickles, Benny Hinn, etc.), but the radical holiness, peace, love, joy, gentleness, wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit within them (Ga. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Ja. 3:17-18). There are few things more persuasive of the Christian's claims concerning the Gospel than the supernatural life of Jesus filling them and flowing out of them (Ro. 8:29; 2 Co. 3:18; 4:7-11).

When I worked with Christian youth, years ago now, this was their biggest problem with their faith. They watched adults who claimed to be indwelt by God's Spirit (and professed to have been so for many decades) and saw no evidence of the Spirit's supernatural presence and work in those adults. These "mature" believers were, essentially, just like the unsaved adults in their manner of living, afflicted by the same desires, attitudes, distractions and values of the unsaved world. What disappointment and doubt - and deep cynicism - these youth often took up in the vacuum of concrete evidence of the supernatural life and work of the Spirit in the "senior" (spiritually-speaking) members of the faith. And how reluctant this vacuum made the Christian youth I was working with to share their faith with the lost! It wasn't the hard truth of sin that silenced them but the profound absence of any clear proof of the presence of God within those who had already responded to the Gospel and "walked with God" for decades.

Well, what a terrible place to put yourself as a youth, that your faith in Christ is fully dependent on how others act out their faith.
That to me is a very empty kind of faith to have.
I have never been one to be influenced in the faith by my peers, and in life generally.
I do not look up to heroes, model my own self after anyone else.

Anyone who does that better be prepared for a fall, because people fail all the time.

I have known a few younger people who turned away from God after being 'spiritually abused' by a pastor.

But see that they were under the controlling influence of a false believer and fell into Satan's trap.

2 Peter 1

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.

 

[bdavidc]

I'd be much more inclined to say that we are, by nature, deeply selfish, which always produces sin. I can't think of a Bible verse that actually says that our nature is one of sin. We have a fleshly/carnal nature, a self-centered, rebellious nature, an Adamic nature, a spiritually-unregenerate nature, but I'm not aware of Scripture that says my nature is sin. Yes, I commit sin, I enact sinful behaviors, and hold sinful thoughts and attitudes, but these are, I think manifestations, or symptoms, of something else, they are "sparks" from the "bonfire" of Self out from under God's control. A car engine is not the exhaust, noise and motion of the car that it produces, right? Though the engine and its effects are very closely related, they aren't identical. Likewise, it seems to me that the "engine" of my self-centered nature produces the "exhaust, noise and motion" of sin, but these effects aren't identical with what has produced them.

That might sound clever, but it’s not biblical. The Bible doesn’t describe sin as just a symptom or byproduct of something else. It says our very nature is sinful apart from Christ. Ephesians 2:3 says we were “by nature the children of wrath.” That’s not just behavior, that’s who we were at the core.

Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” That means sin isn’t just something we pick up along the way, it’s wired into us from the start. Romans 7:18 says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” You can’t separate the engine from the exhaust like you’re trying to do here. The Bible doesn’t make that distinction.

Sin isn’t just something we do, it’s what we are, until God changes us. That’s why Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). The old nature can’t be patched up, reformed, or analyzed, it has to be crucified (Galatians 5:24). Trying to redefine sin as just a side effect of self misses the real issue. The heart itself is corrupt (Jeremiah 17:9).

The problem isn’t just what we do, the problem is what we are without Christ.

 

[bdavidc]

Submission to God is vital, yes. But He also says to us in His word that, along with faith in Christ as Savior and submission to him as Lord (Ro. 10:9-10), there must also be repentance and confession of our sin. We won't trust in, and submit to, Christ as we should unless and until we first change our minds (repent) about ourselves, our sinfulness, God and our need of a Savior. When we have truly done so, it is natural and necessary to confess, or admit to, our sinful rebelliousness toward God and indicate our wholehearted agreement with the truth of the Gospel (1 Jn. 1:9; Ro. 10:9-10). In consequence of doing these things, submission to God, to Christ, is obvious and natural (and commanded of God, therefore - Ja. 4:6-10; 1 Pe. 5:6; Ro. 6:13-22; Ro. 12:1).

But, you know, in my experience, what primarily makes the Gospel so uninteresting to the lost, and its hard truths doubly offensive to them, is the profound lack of evidence of the supernatural life and work of God in those who claim to be His. I don't mean the hysteria, sensuality and blasphemy of the hyper-charismatics (Todd White, Kenneth Copeland, Mike Bickles, Benny Hinn, etc.), but the radical holiness, peace, love, joy, gentleness, wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit within them (Ga. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Ja. 3:17-18). There are few things more persuasive of the Christian's claims concerning the Gospel than the supernatural life of Jesus filling them and flowing out of them (Ro. 8:29; 2 Co. 3:18; 4:7-11).

When I worked with Christian youth, years ago now, this was their biggest problem with their faith. They watched adults who claimed to be indwelt by God's Spirit (and professed to have been so for many decades) and saw no evidence of the Spirit's supernatural presence and work in those adults. These "mature" believers were, essentially, just like the unsaved adults in their manner of living, afflicted by the same desires, attitudes, distractions and values of the unsaved world. What disappointment and doubt - and deep cynicism - these youth often took up in the vacuum of concrete evidence of the supernatural life and work of the Spirit in the "senior" (spiritually-speaking) members of the faith. And how reluctant this vacuum made the Christian youth I was working with to share their faith with the lost! It wasn't the hard truth of sin that silenced them but the profound absence of any clear proof of the presence of God within those who had already responded to the Gospel and "walked with God" for decades.

What’s not biblical in your response is the idea that the lost are uninterested in the gospel mainly because they don’t see enough supernatural behavior in Christians. That’s not what Scripture teaches. The Bible says the lost reject the gospel because they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). It’s a heart problem, not a visibility problem.

Jesus lived a perfect, Spirit-filled life, full of love, truth, and power, and they still nailed Him to a cross. The early church was filled with the Holy Spirit, did miracles, and walked in unity, and they were still persecuted and hated. So no, the gospel isn’t rejected because Christians aren’t impressive enough. It’s rejected because the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).

It is biblical to call believers to walk in holiness and show the fruit of the Spirit. But it’s not biblical to imply that unbelievers would flock to Christ if only Christians lived better. That puts the blame for unbelief on us, not on the sinner’s rebellion. The Word of God is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), not our performance.