Have You Heard the Real Gospel?

I want to challenge you with a thought that might surprise you: The gospel of Jesus Christ you have heard may not be the true gospel. Let me explain.

One major issue with religion is that we often rely on human interpretations rather than seeking what the Bible actually says. To truly understand how God feels about us, we must go directly to His Word instead of simply accepting what others have told us about the Word.

Where do I get this notion of a "distorted" gospel? The Bible itself warns us about being misled.

In Galatians 1:6-7, Paul writes:

"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."

The word "pervert" means to distort or fundamentally change something. Paul continues with a serious warning:

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9, NKJV)

So, I ask you: What have you been taught about the gospel? It’s crucial to ensure you’re receiving the true message!

Many of us have heard fundamental truths: that we are all sinners (true), that sin deserves punishment (true), and that Jesus came to forgive and cleanse us (also true). But here’s where things can get skewed—some teachings suggest that if you stumble, you are suddenly in jeopardy with God. They imply that you must vigilantly watch your actions and words, or risk losing your standing with Him. Is this what you've been told?

Let’s see what the Bible actually reveals:

Acts 20:24 says: "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Acts 20:24

Did you catch that? The gospel is about grace! What does grace mean? It represents favor, goodwill, kindness, joy, delight, and beauty. The gospel of Jesus is truly good news! Yes, He came to atone for your sins. When you seek His forgiveness and invite Him into your life, He cleanses you and pours out His favor, kindness, and love.

As God declares in Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

That is amazing news! Accepting Jesus means embracing both forgiveness and His remarkable favor.

However, let me offer a word of caution…

Some Christians and congregations may see this message as “dangerous.” They might say, "You can’t tell people it's okay to sin!" Let me be clear: I am not saying sin is acceptable.

Romans 6:1 addresses this directly:

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!"

Believing in Jesus does not mean living without accountability. Misusing grace as an excuse to sin leads to regrettable consequences.

But here’s the beautiful truth: God’s grace isn’t just about forgiveness—it empowers us to overcome sin. Because He is so gracious, our natural response should be a desire to please Him, not to take advantage of His goodness.

Through Jesus, God offers incredible help, transforming lives in ways beyond imagination. That’s the real gospel.

And that’s good news!