R4G - Rabun for the Gospel

The Gospel is Pure, True and Everlasting

By Michael Rogers

Paul believed the Gospel was just as important as food and water. I’m thankful that he lived in and by it until his final breath. He was a fine tuned instrument. Paul had a companion named Demas, who had a heart for the Gospel and was a big part of his ministry. We find in 2 Timothy 4:10 that Demas abandoned Paul and the Gospel for the cares of the world. Because of this, he became a broken instrument. Just a few days ago it was revealed that Ravi Zacharias, one of the great apologists of our day, was living a double life. This was devastating to me and the Christian community. I had listened to and learned from Ravi for years. He had led many to salvation and had left bundles of wisdom for us to use for many years to come. Ravi died a few weeks ago after a struggle with cancer and we celebrated his life and ministry. However, as more and more news is shared about his indiscretions, we see that he was a broken vessel and most people will refuse to learn from him again. His situation reminds me of King Amaziah, who did what was right in the sight of God, but lacked a loving heart. When I heard the news, I thought of the harm he has brought to the Gospel. I knew it would give people even more of an excuse to not believe the gospel. I understand temptations and the struggles that each man encounters and has to overcome, but I couldn’t help to cry out, “Why Ravi! Why were you so brilliant on the outside but so broken on the inside? We really needed you Ravi!!!” Well, Ravi has come and gone, Paul has come and gone, Demas and many others have come and gone. Some were broken instruments and some were finely oiled instruments. The joy comes in knowing that regardless of what the condition of the instrument is, the Gospel will remain pure and true. Regardless of how much society tries to discredit or cancel out the gospel, it is still pure, true, and everlasting. In the end, when man comes to his last breath, all that will matter is how he or she represented the Gospel. Did we believe in it and proclaim it like a well oiled instrument or did we mishandle it like a broken instrument?

I am thankful that I got to teach Papa Ray Rumsey at the Cannon Wood retirement home before his departure. Listening to his comments of what the Gospel meant to him after each teaching session was always a joy and I am certain he left this earth as a well oiled instrument. May we all follow his example.

Michael Rogers is the pastor of Wolfcreek Baptist Church located at 652 Wolf Creek Church Road, Tiger, Georgia 30576. He and his wife Susan have three children and two grandchildren. Sharing the gospel message and the redemptive power of the cross is what Michael desires most. His passion for Christ and his love for others is what fuels his ministry.

It’s that time again! It’s time to clean out the old storage building that once was a little shop equipped with a radio and power. I muster up enough courage to enter this pile of left over junk once every ten years or so. As I enter through the door and climb my way back into the crypt of junk, I am always looking for that one piece of treasure that will keep me content. In 1987, the senior class put out a cassette tape that had captured the sounds and voices from the entire school year. Every five to ten years, I take this tape down off the shelf, listen and allow the memories to flood back. One of the highlights of the tape is hearing Coach Papa Ray Rumsey talking to his class like a prosecutor arguing an important court case, challenging them to be the jury. Another set of highlights are the sounds of students yelling in the hall, the football team line-up being announced at Friday night’s big game, along with listening to Jim Green and his Foxfire classmates sing “I’m a Wildcat Fan”. Listening to Jim and his group play the guitars and other instruments is always a joy because it takes me back in time to a simpler life, without a lot of responsibilities. I often wonder where those instruments are now. They sound so good on this ancient tape of 34 years; I’m sure some of these instruments are still being played today and I’m sure some are broken. Regardless of the condition of the instruments today, the music on the tape is still playing strong. The truths that Papa Ray taught in his class are still valid today and can still be remembered with the simplicity that he taught them. Today, Papa Ray is with Jesus and I would say most of the instruments Jim and the group used are out of use, but what was said and what was played lives on every time I listen to the tape. When I consider the gospel, and how it has been proclaimed through the instrument of voice for over 2000 years, it encourages me that it is still alive, strong and valid today. Many of the instruments God uses to proclaim his truth are still well oiled while some are broken. The apostle Paul preached the gospel until his death; it was actually Paul’s standing up for it that brought death upon him. Paul said in Galatians 1:6, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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.“