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What Part of the Gospel Is Optional?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtCdbZr9GGE

This video is a promo for David Platt’s book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

[Update: Please note that Platt says Jesus may call some to give up all they have—not will. He’s not calling people to radical giving-up-of-your-goods. He’s calling people to radical worship, which may require giving up your stuff, or it may require using your stuff to bless others. Either way, the stuff doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to God. And so do we, as Christians.]

Comments

  1. In Christ’s “great commission” did he commission each and every believer/follower, or are those who are the “called” to give up all and go into all the world to preach/teach the Gospel of Christ? Sorry, but I get a bit anal retentive in matters of analysis so if we all sold all that we have to give to the poor then it contradicts what Jesus’ own words tells us “the poor you will have with your always”. If we all gave everything we have to the poor, then what would we have to support our own families? I’d ask this pastor/teacher giving the message… what have you sold recently? Do you own your own home, car, investments? If he should answer “no” then isn’t he a hypocrite?

    • Jesus said “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”. What this video does not say is that in order to be christian one must sell all his possessions. It simply states that Jesus can require anyone of us, you, me, the speaker, to sell all that we have and give it to the poor. a christian will gladly sell every thing if they know Christ has called them to do so. but not all are called to this. others are called to support those who go. Jesus also states that it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. the love of money is a death sentence. as far as caring for our own families, our job is to seek first the kingdom of heaven, if that means obeying Jesus if he tells us to sell it all and preach the gospel to Muslims, you leave the money to God, and go.

    • Please note that Platt says Jesus may call some to give up all they have—not will. He’s not calling people to radical giving-up-of-your-goods. He’s calling people to radical worship, which may require giving up your stuff, or it may require using your stuff to bless others. Either way, the stuff doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to God. And so do we, as Christians.

  2. Things To Consider When Studying The Bible

    1. Who is doing the speaking and to whom are the words being spoken?
    2. What circumstances in the context might affect the meaning?
    3. Is the language to be understood in a literal or figurative sense?
    4. Partial truth can lead to wrong conclusions. Correct understanding occurs only when all verses dealing with a subject are considered.
    5. More difficult passages must be understood in a way that harmonizes (agrees) with less difficult passages.
    6. Bible study must be undertaken with an open mind, not prejudiced by opinions or preconceived ideas.

    Let’s see what the scripture says in context and who Jesus was talking to.

    Mt10:17As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
    18And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
    19″You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'”
    20And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”
    21Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
    22But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
    The question this man asked Jesus is “what shall I do to inherit eternal life”. Jesus first, in trying to get the man to think about who He (Jesus) was, asked him why he called him “good” and that God was the only one “good”. Jesus was trying to show the man by being the Son of God, He was God (see John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus told him to obey the commandments and then named a few of them, trying to get him to see he needed something outside of himself to gain eternal life (not his own good works). The man answered as if he had actually obeyed all the commandments of God perfectly (without sin) all his life. Had he actually not murdered (Jesus said if you have hated anyone it is the same as murder – see Mt 5:25)? Had he not committed adultery (Jesus said even if you lust in your heart for a woman it is the same as doing it – see Mt 5:28)? Had he never stolen anything ever – do not covet is longingly desiring something/someone that belongs to someone else? Had he ever exaggerated a story about someone else (to any degree) which is bearing false witness? Had he never spoken a bad word to his parents, said something bad about them or did something that dishonored them? He actually thought he had obeyed God his whole life perfectly! This man didn’t have a clue about his guilt! So Jesus needed to open his eyes to this fact by showing him his possessions controlled him. He told him to sell everything and give it to the poor. Rather than realizing his sin, which would require a savior, he went away sad. At least he didn’t lie to himself that he was saved. He had a chance to still come to God with that attitude.
    First I would like to point out that Jesus was talking to “this man”, not everyone who was there or who reads this Bible account. God told Noah to build an Arc. Are we all to build an Arc? God told Abraham to go to what is now called Israel. Are we all to go to Israel? Jesus was telling “this man” this is what “he” needed to do.
    Secondly we should look to see what does pertain to us or at least the church (the saved are the church – saints are those saved also) are supposed to do with our money.
    1 Cor 16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.
    2On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
    On the first day of the week (they must have been gathering together on the first day of the week – see Acts 20:7 – and that was to partake of the Lord’s supper) they were directed (“as I directed the other churches”) to give as they had prospered.
    How much? As they have prospered, as shown above, and from what each a decided to give from their heart and to give cheerfully (see 2 Cor below).
    2 Cor 9:6-7 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
    7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
    One does not have to give all they own to be saved. And it is not a sin not to give all. I could go on about Judas being the treasurer of Jesus and the Twelve and the money bag they had that Judas was stealing from all the time…must have been a sum of money because the rest didn’t realize some was missing. There were some rich folks that supported Jesus’ and his Apostles in His ministry. Believers owned their own homes and used them to God’s glory by putting up other believers when needed. There are other things to show this as well, but this is already too long for this forum. One doesn’t need to sell everything they own to be saved.
    The point, again, was the man should have realized he was a sinner and that he was going to be judged by a Perfect and Holy God…that all his sin is going to be punished by God. (Just as a Judge today punishes a murder, a thief, and people who lie about others character (unfortunately only if it cause monetary damage) on this earth. But nothing Jesus asked him brought him to this knowledge or if it did, he didn’t want to give up his whole life to follow the Lord.
    The main question is: Do we know what to do because of our sins?
    There is GOOD NEWS! Jesus Christ took the mocking, the beatings, the scourging, and ultimately death on a cross to take yours & my sins upon Himself. A punishment we deserve…He paid our debt!
    Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death, you and I can be born again into God’s family (Jn 3:3,5). By Believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Rom 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). And remain faithful until death or until He returns. (Mk 13:13).
    Acts 22:16 – 16’Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

    • There was also another point I do not think was covered by your exceptional explaination. The point was something I had noticed when comparing the synoptics and looking at them as a whole. Jesus said something regarding the “rich young ruler” and why it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mark 10:24 describes …how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!… This element can also be compared with 1Tim.6:17.
      1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
      1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

      Here it is addressing “…them that are rich…” describing some who were among the number (i.e. the brethren) who were “rich”. Also the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob makes mention of Abraham that he seemed to have much possessions. Jacob also descibes himself and his God-blessed prosperity in Gen.32:10 crossing over the Jordan with little, and had become two bands not only of family and servants, but of cattle, and possessions. (which may also be mentioned to vail a spiritual truth, but that is another point).
      Gen 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
      Gen 32:10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
      Gen 32:11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

      Anyway, great point(s) mentioned.

  3. And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father’s, and of the holy angels.Luke9 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans6 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. Romans12 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galations2 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1John2 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.Mat22,Mar12,Luk10 If ye love me, keep my commandments..Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John14 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love..This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you..These things I command you, that ye love one another. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John15 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.Luke11 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;Luke18 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Mat6
    ..So on, so forth, etc, Ad Infinitum…

  4. This video is out of balanced with the whole of scripture. I am sick of the word radical like a person has to sell all his possessions as soon as or to become a Christian. By the way the video is talking about being a desciple not Christian or saved. I have been a Christian for many years and given everything to Christ and do my best to live by faith. I have seen people harmed greatly by listening to urgent messages such as in the video by going off to do a ministry without preparation in the Word of God. I am not saying the video is untruthful just gives the wrong impression. When we become new Christians Gods will is for us is to pray, get into the word, fellowship with others, and be obedient and then let God guide us into the work he wants us to do. Just a reminder Moses was in his 80’s before he got over himself and God was able to use him to lead the israelites out of Egypt. Let’s take time to seek the Lord and forget the “radical” guilt trips.

    • Bruce, please note that Platt says Jesus may call some to give up all they have—not will. He’s not calling people to radical giving-up-of-your-goods. He’s calling people to radical worship, which may require giving up your stuff, or it may require using your stuff to bless others. Either way, the stuff doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to God. And so do we, as Christians.