In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

~Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

I once had a conversation with someone about offensive words found in Scripture.  I am not talking about unwholesome language, but words like sin, death, crucifixion, Hell, and the blood of Jesus.

Some congregations had postulated that cultured people are offended by the graphic nature of these words, and a more diluted and sanitized gospel began to emerge.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all aware of our sin, whatever we choose to call it.  We feel its weight and desperation.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His [God’s] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

~Romans 3:23-24 NKJV

We are not saved by a diluted and impotent gospel.  We are not saved by our good deeds, good thoughts or crossed fingers.

We are saved by the death of the sinless Son of God, who died as the sacrifice for sin.  We are saved by Jesus Christ’s blood that was poured out for you and for me—the love of God that endured scourging, insult, and abandonment by the very ones He gave His life to save.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~Romans 6:23 NKJV

The enemy hates the blood of Christ.  The mere mention reminds him of his impending demise.  To dilute the truth plays into his plan to silence the hope that calls out to us from the blood and the empty tomb.

The Gospel does offend, beloved.  Its beautiful brutality is offensive to those who are still in love with their sin.  But for those suffocating in their sin, those who are desperate for rescue and devoid of hope, it is the breath of life and an extended, nail-scarred hand that reaches out to snatch them from hell.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.

~Romans 1:16a NKJV

Share your salvation experience.

Father, I decline any impotent gospel. Bring me back to Your complete and unvarnished truth. I embrace the work of the cross and the blood of Christ that saves us. Send me into the four corners of the Earth to spread the Good News of Christ in its entirety. May I leave nothing out and no one behind.  

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2020: Power in the Blood: Declining the Impotent Gospel: Julie Bradley Souza Lilly: All Rights Reserved