If a professing Christian is unholy in their heart and actions then he or she has no hope of being counted among God’s people. On the other hand, the true Christian will be washed clean through regeneration and changed forever with a heart that loves God and His holiness while abhorring sin and evil. He or she will desire deeply to live a life that brings honor to their Savior.

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 (NASB)

Any attempt to “improve” the Gospel according to human wisdom or philosophy empties the Cross of Christ of its power. In our day, this tinkering with Gospel is called “Contextualization.” This is the process of adding to, taking away, and changing the Gospel message in an attempt to make it relate to culture. While there is a part in all of us that sees this as a “good move,” if we compare this with what the Word of God teaches us about the Gospel and how God works through it to save His people, we will see that this process actually creates just another false gospel or non-gospel. For clarification let us look at what God’s Word teaches us is the Gospel.

If you have not done so already, read the passage I placed at the top of this post (Matthew 1:20-21). The name “Jesus” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means, “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh saves.” This name described His mission, which was given to Him by the Father. What was it? It was to save His people from their sins. This salvation is the Good News or Gospel, but what exactly does it mean to be saved from one’s sins? Carefully read the following passage which describes what it means to “be still in your sins” when the Day of God’s Wrath does come.

14 Near is the great day of the LORD,
Near and coming very quickly;
Listen, the day of the LORD!
In it the warrior cries out bitterly.
15 A day of wrath is that day,
A day of trouble and distress,
A day of destruction and desolation,
A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of trumpet and battle cry
Against the fortified cities
And the high corner towers.
17 I will bring distress on men
So that they will walk like the blind,
Because they have sinned against the LORD;
And their blood will be poured out like dust
And their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
Will be able to deliver them
On the day of the LORD’S wrath;
And all the earth will be devoured
In the fire of His jealousy,
For He will make a complete end,
Indeed a terrifying one,
Of all the inhabitants of the earth. Zephaniah 1:14-18 (NASB)

Who is it that will be consumed by the wrath of God? It is those who have not been “saved from their sins.” However, the following passage describes those who have been “saved from their sins.”

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)

This passage tells us that those whom Jesus saves have “turned” from serving false gods and idols to serve the Living God. This “turning” has also changed them so that instead of pursuing the world and its ways, they wait for God’s Son from Heaven, who raised them from the dead and delivered them from the wrath to come. We learn from this passage that all true Christians have made this “turning” away from false religion to serving God. This “turning” is repentance. Notice also that those who have repented also believe. They await the return of the Son. This is what those with saving faith do. Their Savior promised to come back for them and keep them from God’s wrath.

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