Are we leading people to believe an incomplete gospel?

Maurie Daigneau Dec. 5, 2020

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For we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:9-11 NASB)

Many of us who write or read the posts on this site consider ourselves to be builders. We lead in our churches, businesses, schools or non-profit ministries.

As Christian leaders, we must examine the foundation upon which we have been building our lives and leadership. How is it holding up?

Sadly, the data suggests that "Christianity has been rapidly declining in the United States while the number of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated is growing."¹

It appears that what James Montgomery Boice said over three decades ago still holds true: "We do not have a strong church today, nor do we have many strong Christians."² The question we must examine is why. It may be because we leaders have been unintentionally building upon a gospel foundation "other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Let me explain. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote this: "For men will be … holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power." For example, there is a current mantra within the evangelical community that says this: "If you want a meaningful life, a better life, and an eternal life in heaven, then believing and receiving is all that is required." This is a slight distortion of the gospel, and is incomplete.

It cannot be denied that the Lord's presence in our lives gives us access to the greatest power in existence, but what must be understood is that the Lord's manner of interacting with us is not like that of our old sin master. Instead of yet another relationship of slavery, we must recognize that we have been adopted as sons by which we cry out, "Father, please do it for us. For we realize we cannot accomplish the objective of consistent obedience in our own strength" (see Rom. 8:15).

This is the firm and only foundation upon which we should be helping people live. We must help all those we lead to understand that it is necessary to do for the Lord what He has done for us: We must be willing to give up our lives for Him in the same way He gave up His life for us.

Only then can we begin to understand and live the full meaning of these words from Paul:

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. (Gal.2:20)

As Christian builders, we must help those we lead to understand what it means to die to self and to live in Christ. We must help them understand that Jesus did not do what He did to be a mere presence in our lives. He did what He did to becomeour life.

He is the one foundation upon which we must all live!

[1]https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/11/15/christianity-is-declining-rapid-pace-americans-still-hold-positive-views-about-religions-role-society/
[2]James Montgomery Boice, Foundations of the Christian Faith(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 25.

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Maurie Daigneau is a retired business owner/entrepreneur and author of the newly-published book The Gospel You've Never Heard: An Understanding That Will Change Your Life. He has been in a personal relationship with the Lord for more than 50 years, and has committed the balance of his days to sharing the lessons he has learned from the only One any of us is to call “Teacher.” Maurie and his wife, Susie, raised five children of their own and are now the proud grandparents of 13. Learn More »

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