“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. ¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: ¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.

The Gospel of Jesus, the event if you will of His Sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full unto God and give us dominion over our sin nature, is the occasion or the moment of which the division of spiritual life and death occurred.  Jesus’ work was the event which enabled us to no longer be dead in our sin and trespasses but alive unto God, our Father.  In other words, Jesus did not cause the division but what He did for us on Calvary’s Cross was the moment of division.  Jesus’ finished work gives life and life more abundantly to those who believe.  “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, No; but rather division:” Luke 12:51.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, will lay waste motivational gospels.  When the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up among men, the presence of the Holy Spirit will use that occasion, that “event” to bring division not compromise.  The Holy Spirit’s convicting power will bring to surface the evil of the human heart and cause the “savour of death unto death” or the “savour of life unto life”.  A heart will either harden or soften depending on the choice of the person, not the choice of the Gospel.  There is but One Gospel and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9.

Discern the gospel you are sitting under.  The rightly divided, full counsel of the Word of God will bring to surface the evil of our heart, which results in humility not pride…depending of course on which side of the dividing line we choose.  Sadly, many gospels today try to unite that which the Lord has divided.  Make no mistake though, what the Lord has divided…no religion, no man or no tradition can unite.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect. ¹⁸ For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

-Donna Clark Warren