Reflections
Any gospel that does not tell the Truth about the lost condition of man, and his need to be saved from it, is a false gospel. Any gospel that denies the sin nature denies the need for the Cross.
John wrote:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8)
The Truth will expose our lost condition. God exposes the Truth about us so that we might see the Truth about HIM – that He is our only Savior. God is redemptive God and all that He does is towards that end. Yet it is possible for people to refuse the Truth. John writes:
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19-20)
The basis for condemnation is the refusal of light – a refusal to see and confess the Truth about myself – about my evil nature, and thus, my need for Christ. Refuse to confess the Truth about your need, and you will NOT value the Truth about the Savior.
Today confession of sin and repentance are considered to be deterrents to our self-esteem. But in God’s mind, they are an embracing of the Truth about ourselves, and about the One who saved us from sin. You cannot begin with God unless you begin in Truth. Confession is the result of standing in the light and Truth of Jesus Christ.