Author: Tim Challies

I think we have all felt the temptation to modify the gospel, to preach a gospel that is inaccurate or incomplete. I think we have all felt the desire to avoid the reproach that may come upon us when we preach the whole gospel and true gospel—the gospel that is so very bad before it is so very good. The fact is, the true gospel is not complimentary. It is not admiring or flattering. Rather, it describes humanity in all our sinfulness and depravity, all our hopelessness and lostness. Not so long ago I came across some words from the old preacher De Witt Talmage that describe this well. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. You see this is not a complimentary gospel. That is what makes some people so incensed. It comes to a man of a million dollars, and impenitent in his sins, and says, “You are a pauper.” It comes to a woman of fairest cheek, who has never repented, and says, “You are a leper.” It comes to a man priding himself on his independence, and says, “You are bound hand and foot by the devil.” It comes to our entire race and says, “You are a ruin, a ghastly ruin, and a limitless ruin, and, unless the grace of God rebuild you, an everlasting ruin.” Satan sometimes says to me; “Why do you not preach that truth? Why don’t you preach a gospel with no repentance in it? Why don’t you flatter men’s hearts so that…See AlsoA La Carte (October 31)Everyday GospelEvangelize 2024: Growing a Church That Proclaims The Gospel