The Unconditional Gospel
By Pastor James Black | February 24, 2010
In the Gospel of Luke in chapter 17, verses 7-10 Jesus speaks of the relation of the master and the servant. He sums this discussion up in verse 10 with the servant saying “we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
When Jesus submitted himself to the work of Calvary it was totally unconditional. First to His Father’s will as he prayed “not as I will, but as thou wilt” in Matthew 26:39. He not only submitted to the will of his father but also to the work he was sent to do, being obedient not only to death but to the death of the cross ( Phil 2:6-7).
When Jesus hung on the cross he took whatever came willingly without rebuke or cry this isn’t fair, ( I Pet 2:20-24). As sin is unconditional in the sorrow it brings so was the suffering to the Lord of Glory at the hands of Satan. Yet He bore it all for us, bless His name.
As His suffering was unconditional so is His redemption – to whosoever will let him come. It is to the Jew and Gentile, bond and free, rich and poor, religious and reprobate, black, white, red, and yellow ( Gal 3:27-28). But as his redemption is unconditional so is his salvation. No one can come on conditions, it must be total surrender.
There is no other name, Acts 4:12, work, Eph 2:8-9, or wealth, I Pet 1:18-19 that is sufficient. Religion says you must do or not do – if this is sufficient then Christ died in vain, Gal 2:20-21. Salvation is not a combination of “things” it is an unconditional surrender of your life and soul to the one who died for you on Calvary.
The tradition of the handshake was to show that there were no weapons hidden in the hands. Would you come to Christ – empty handed and unconditional – to find the riches of grace He has for you? I pray that you will.
Pastor James
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