There is simply no way to exaggerate the centrality and preeminence of the gospel. It is not the only message in Christianity, but it is first in rank, dignity, and beauty. It does not supplant the other great truths of Scripture, but it is their cornerstone and the prism through which their true wisdom is revealed and comprehended. To put it plainly, there is no Christianity, no religious devotion, and no true spirituality apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ. His gospel is the greatest revelation of God to men and angels, it is the only means by which fallen humanity might be saved, and it is the great means by which the Christian is motivated and guided to true piety or godliness. It is the preeminence of Christ and His gospel that led John Newton to write the following stanza in the hymn “What Think Ye of Christ?:
‘What think ye of Christ?’ is the test
To try both your state and your scheme; You cannot be right in the rest
Unless you think rightly of Him.”
“What think ye of Christ and His gospel?” How you and I answer this question will tell all that needs to be told about us. However we must always remember that our actions are what validate our confession. If Christ and His gospel are preeminent in our mind and heart then He will certainly be preeminent in our proclamation, He will be the preeminent standard to which we seek to be conformed, and He will be the preeminent motivation of our life. In other words, if all is taken from us but this one thing “Christ died for my sins,” we would still have our message, our goal, our motivation, and our heart’s desire!
HeartCry is a missionary society with one great and overriding passion: that God’s Name be Great among the Nations (Malachi 1:11) and that the Lamb receive the full reward for His suffering (Revelation 7:9-10).
Visit heartcrymissionary.com for more information, updates, and resources!
Paul Washer is founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society.
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Paul is the founder of HeartCry Missionary Society and currently serves as its missions director. He also ministered as a missionary in Peru for ten years. He has preached hundreds of sermons and has authored a dozen published works. Paul lives in Radford, Virginia, with his wife Charo and their four children: Ian, Evan, Rowan, and Bronwyn.
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