I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes - Romans 1:16

THE GOSPEL

Dear friend, the Bible says that it is appointed for us to die once, and after this the judgment. Soon your brief life will be over. Yet death is not the end, for you must stand before the judgment seat of God. One of two destinies awaits you, either everlasting punishment in Hell or everlasting life and joy in Heaven.

Many people ignore this truth because they are preoccupied with their business and entertainments. Others think they are 'good enough' and therefore have nothing to worry about, while others feel that God will not send anyone to Hell because he is a loving God.

All these futile excuses will be useless when you stand before the Judge of the world. Are you prepared for that day? Are you ready? It all depends on whether you believe or reject the true Gospel of Christ.

The true Gospel and the counterfeit

The apostle Paul was evidently in great distress and anguish when he penned his letter to the Galatians. The glory of God and the salvation of man were at stake. False teachers had followed him and distorted the gospel he had preached. They did not directly deny faith in Christ or the grace of God. They simply added the rite of circumcision and obedience to the Mosaic Law as the basis for their acceptance with God. However, the apostle Paul considered their teaching 'another gospel.' He writes:

'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed' (Galatians 1:6-8).

If the apostle Paul deemed that the addition of the works of the law (which are good in themselves) to faith invalidates the gospel, what is the biblical judgment on the gospel of the Roman Catholic church? The 'gospel' of Rome is faith plus works, grace plus merit, Christ plus the church, baptismal regeneration, penance, masses, the rosary, indulgences, Mary, the pains of Purgatory, and so on. The apostle warns those who, in addition to faith in the Lord, seek to be justified by ritual or works, that they are alienated from Christ, and that He could be of no avail to them (cf. Galatians 5:2-4).

Repent and Believe the Gospel

We appeal to you, our dear Catholic friends, and implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. Reckon yourself an unworthy sinner and a rebel against the Sovereign God. Plead guilty before the Judge of the Earth, admit that you deserve the everlasting fire of Hell and that nothing you can do can ever pay for your sins.

Yet do not despair, look to the God of all grace and mercy. Stop trusting in yourself, your works and your merit. Salvation is of the Lord; redemption is His work; and all the glory belongs to Him alone. Do not rely on a church, Mary, the saints, a human priest, the sacrifice of the mass, or in an imaginary purgatory.

Rather, trust wholly in Christ alone, the Son of God, who is the only mediator, the only high priest, who gave himself as an all-sufficient sacrifice for the payment of the sins of his own people. To those who believe in Christ, the Bible says: 'In Him we have redemption (freedom) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace' (Ephesians 1:7).

May the Lord be merciful and grant you the grace of repentance to turn away from the distorted 'gospel' of Roman Catholicism. May God grant you the gift of faith, to rest in Christ, his Son, and serve him all the days of your life while we anticipate His return to take us home.