We studied a lesson last month titled “What Should I Do With The Gospel?” In that lesson we learned that we are called unto salvation by the Gospel (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14), that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (cf. Romans 1:16), that through the Gospel we are saved (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), that we continue to be saved as long as continue in the hope of the Gospel (cf. Colossians 1:21-23), and that Jesus will come with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not obey the Gospel banishing them from the presence and glory of God and giving them over to eternal destruction (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
WOW! That makes the answer to “What Should I Do With The Gospel?” extremely important, doesn’t it? I would like to propose to you a means by which you can answer this crucial question and always be able to remember it. Just think of the acrostic B.O.L.T. – Believe, Obey, Live, Teach! That’s the answer to the question my friends!
The Apostle Paul explained the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...” Truly that is “Good News,” in fact, it’s the BEST of news, isn’t it? But it means nothing if I don’t BELIEVE it!
Likewise, I must not only believe the Gospel, I must OBEY it. Hebrews 5:9 says, “Having been perfected, He [Christ] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” and in Acts 5:32, we are told by Peter, “We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Yes, we must believe it, but we must also OBEY the Gospel!
Have we done enough at this point? We are added to the church, we are in the kingdom of God, isn’t that enough? NO! We must remain steadfast and continue in the faith! We must LIVE the Gospel in our lives through a new, transformed, changed lifestyle as new creatures, born again, raised to live a new life in Christ conforming more and more into His image! Study Acts 2:42-47 to get a glimpse of what living the Gospel looks like!
Surely, we have done enough now! Not so fast! We must believe, obey, and live the Gospel, but there remains one more thing we must do – TEACH it! Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Unless we are willing to open our lives, our hearts, our Bibles, and our mouths to TEACH the Gospel to the lost, they will remain condemned and miss out on salvation!
Notice the end of Acts 2:47, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” He did in the early church and He could today if we would remember the Gospel and B.O.L.T. into action!
In His Loving Service, Vernon