Do Not Castrate the Gospel

 "...but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."  Galatians 1:7

A few months ago, my Dad gave me the gift that keeps on taking...a bloodless castrater.  That's right.  What a cool guy, huh?  It was originally intended for use in men's ministry.  I'll let your mind wander into what that message to men could be.  But lately, the castrater has been in my mind often.  I even carry it with me in the house so that it is in view. 

The Spirit has been saying, "Do not castrate the gospel."  What is a castrated gospel? 

1.  Castration removes the ability for reproduction.  Have you ever played that game where one person whispers something, and the secret travels around the room and the last person states what they heard?  Usually it's not even in the same language as it was in the beginning.  Without knowing the Spirit and Nature of God firsthand, we'll be "tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 14:4), unable to reproduce an effective and true gospel, as it was in the beginning.  We must know the Source.

2.  Castration enables a horse/bull to be ridden.  A castrated gospel has had its power removed so that it can be "ridden".  The gospel we often teach is "palatable" or acceptable to the world.  Therefore the true gospel is not reproduced and we get only pieces and parts (denominations).  Can you ride the gospel in your own strength?  Do you even have need of the Holy Spirit?

3.  A castrated gospel considers safety.  If you've ever hunted deer before, you know that the best time to get a big buck is during the "rut", or mating season.  During this time, the deer care about 1 thing only - reproduce.  Safety is not considered.  But if you were to castrate a deer, this rut would not happen.  No balls, no rut.  Safety is again considered and no reproduction occurs.  In the same way, the most common direction we give to our children is "be safe".  Jesus never said this to anyone.  Never.  But we drill it so far into each others' heads that it is our first consideration.  We need to get back in the "rut".  Yes, there will be deaths, but the Spring will bring about new life. 

An un-castrated gospel comes only from the revelation of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 1:12).  Lord, reveal Yourself to us so that we may live a pure, un-castrated gospel.  "This is not a time for Hobbits!"