Don't Sugarcoat the Gospel
Thursday, July 3, 2025
“It would have been well for the church of Christ, if the warnings of the Gospel had been studied as much as its promises.” – J.C. Ryle
You can go online and search for books written by Christian authors about every subject under the sun. Some are extremely well written and very, very edifying. Others are absolute pablum, churned out for profit to tickle the ears of the masses.
All of Charles Spurgeon’s books fit into the first category and everything written by Joel Osteen falls into the second. I would add Francis Schaeffer, J.I. Packer, John Piper, and the above quoted J.C. Ryle to the first group as well… while including Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, and Kenneth Copeland to the second group.
I could spend the rest of this devotional praising godly authors and condemning heretical ones, but that’s not my purpose today. Instead, I wasn’t to piggyback on what J.C. Ryle said in today’s quote.
Try as you might, I doubt you will find very many books on Amazon or at Christian Book Distributors (CBD) about God’s warnings. However, you are sure to lose count at the sheer volume of books written about His promises.
Simply put, people like to be told nice things… but they shy away from being told necessary things.
My friend, before someone can come to saving faith in Christ, they must be made painfully aware of two uncomfortable but undeniable facts. First, they are a sinner. Second, their sin separates them from a holy God and has them on the fast track to hell. Only then can they fully grasp the gospel message and their need of a Savior by repenting of their sins and placing their faith and trust in Jesus.
Don’t sugarcoat the gospel. Just tell it like it is and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
