What is The Gospel?

By Karl Clauson

AFTER 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY, THIS IS THE MOST SOBERING TRUTH I’VE LEARNED ABOUT THE WESTERN CHURCH.

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCIPLE LOST PEOPLE

It took me years to understand this truth, but it may be the great challenge facing the Western Church today. What Jesus warned about in Matthew 7 — the deception of salvation — is more real in our time than ever. I’ve watched an entire generation grow up in a Christian culture without persecution and with overwhelming materialism. Both have done something devastating: they have blinded many to their actual spiritual condition, and they have made it easy to assume saving faith where none exists.

JESUS’ WARNING STILL STANDS

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
Matthew 7:21–23.

These are not just sobering words. They describe the spiritual condition of countless people sitting in churches today.

MY HEART IN WRITING THIS

Some of us need to take a moment to examine ourselves.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Some of us need to pray differently for people we love. Many who “left church” never actually left Christ — because they were never in Christ to begin with. Their lives show no evidence of a surrendered, imperfect-but-real walk with Jesus.

THE DANGER OF A DIFFERENT GOSPEL

“If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” Galatians 1:8–9.

This isn’t about losing salvation — it’s about losing credibility, platform, and voice. God is passionate and unwavering in sharing the real good news. For years, we’ve invited people to “accept Jesus,” raise their hand, walk down an aisle, and say, “I believe.”

“But even the demons believe — and shudder.” James 2:19.

We can’t save anyone. Only the Holy Spirit catalyzes change. However, we are responsible for providing biblical information that can lead to genuine transformation.

SO WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…”
Romans 10:9–10.

Confessing Him as Lord means there is no higher authority — not even me. Believing in His resurrection means embracing the One who died for your sins.

But there is another essential word Jesus gave us: repent.

REPENT.
We are born walking away from God — on a broad road that leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13–14

Christ calls us to turn, surrender, and follow. Repentance isn’t about perfection; it is about direction. It means turning from self to Christ, turning from sin to obedience, turning from pride to surrender.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

The gospel without repentance is not good news. It is an imitation that cannot save.

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. Have I believed in Christ for the forgiveness of my sins?
2. Have I repented — turning from my old way to follow Him?
3. Am I following Him as Lord, submitting to His authority?

AND WHEN YOU PRAY FOR OTHERS
Maybe it’s time to stop praying that they “return to church” or “get going with God” and start praying that they be found in Christ. Because once someone is truly found in Him, they will find their way to His church, become engaged with Jesus, and they will walk the narrow road — imperfect, but following.

MY CONVICTION
The greatest danger to Western Christianity today is the deception of false salvation. Many we hope will return to church have never actually met Jesus. So pray. Pray that those you love will be found in Him. Because once they are found in Him, they will become disciples — imperfect, but surrendered.

GODSPEED.