This might be news to some Christians, but the Gospel is a command - something God instructs all people to believe in, or else. Or else what, you ask? Well, Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Any questions? Is this a cold and unloving statement? Actually, it’s just the opposite! A command takes all of the guesswork out of the equation. When it comes to salvation, do we really want anything left to chance?
So, let’s get this straight here and now (and let’s not be coy about the opening errant suggestion that unbelievers are to “invite Jesus into their hearts,” as if that is the gist of the good news He preached). If the Gospel is indeed a command, then the subordinate elements of it are also commanded: repent and have faith, two things encapsulated in the word “believe” in popular Bible verses, such as John 3:16. When the Bible says to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, it is a command, not a suggestion, and definitely not some perversion that involves the Messiah reconciling Himself to us, by way of invitation (as opposed to man being reconciled to the holy God of the Universe). In summary, God commands everyone to accept His invitation to be saved.
Say it again to yourself and don’t forget it. The Gospel is a command. Jesus preached it in such a way that disobedience to it results in one spending their eternity in the Lake of Fire, for, “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6). It’s true that the Gospel is an offer of salvation, but it’s also true that it is a command. It seems this latter principle has been lost in translation in contemporary Christianity.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth,and their words to the ends of the world.”
But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me;I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
— Romans 10:10-21
I remember spending long summer days outdoors as a child and then being called inside around dinnertime. The offer, of course, was for food, but the call from the kitchen window was a command. I was simultaneously excited about being fed and intent on obeying my mother’s command to come to the table. The Gospel call is a lot like that - it’s both an invitation (God invites, we don’t) and a command to believe in Christ.
We ought to be so very encouraged by this good news because it is an act of grace on behalf of God. He has informed every human being of His command to believe the Gospel, leaving no room for injustice on judgement day. What a wonderful God we have!
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
