“What is needed is this: that we who would speak for Christ, should pray constantly that God will put and keep in our hearts a sense of His goodness and glory, and of the joy of fellowship with Him, and of the dreadfulness of spending time and eternity without him; and then that God will enable us to speak honestly, straightforwardly, and just as we feel about these matters. Then we shall be really natural in presenting the gospel– and really serious, too.”–J.I.Packer, Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God, (Inter-Varsity Press, Chicago, Illinois. 1961) p.90
I thank my pastor for the gift of this little book. It is very enjoyable, and helps the reader see the plain sense of two important thoughts that are only apparently in conflict. Those ideas are the command that we MUST share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the recognition that God is the one who saves; we are not.
Furthermore, Packer reminds the reader both what the gospel is not, and what it is. Often times, in our modern era, there is confusion about this, and people either take away essentials, or load on amenities. Either of these approaches creates “another gospel”.
Filed under: Righteousness, Theology
Excellent book is Packers. May I also suggest Dan Phillips’ The World-Tilting Gospel by Kregel.
Thanks, Phil, for the recommendation. I did read your multi- part review over on your blog, and perhaps I’ll be able to read the book, itself, some time this year.