You may think that if it suits you.
I believe the core of the gospel is the good news that the creator God reached out to fallen humanity and provided a way of escape. This way of escape is provided only through the grace of God. We are saved by Grace through Faith. Which means we are saved only by the Grace of God, accessed through Faith in the blood of Jesus.

So what if we stop sinning. Good. Are we now saved? That would mean that I can save myself--just stop sinning! Sinning or not sinning does not change the fact that we are sinners, have sinned, and will continue to sin. Good behavior will not save. Only Grace, through Faith.

While it is true that God promises to empower us to stop sinning, that is not the good new of the gospel. That is completely secondary to the fact that He has provided a way out, through His grace, freely available to everyone through Faith.

So JAK, could you explain what you think Jesus meant by saying,

Joh 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The "heart of the gospel" - hm. The 1AM says: Rev_14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the middle of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
 
So, the gospel has always been true, so in much greater that just our salvation, which is a consequence of the true Gospel which is about the Character of God. It is because of God's Character which makes salvation possible. And the salvation of this planet is a small part of the whole plan of salvation. LOST from David Gate's talk is the real Gospel.
 
But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. To this result of His great sacrifice--its influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon man--the Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me." John 12:31-32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin. {PP 68.2}

Just what he said: "Sin no more." There is no explaining to do. And YES, he will help us do that with His in-dwelling Spirit.

BUT

To say, as Charity claims:


that empowering us to not sin is the heartbeat of the gospel, is simply wrong, and lacks an understanding of God's character and Christ's mission. The heartbeat of the gospel is, as I've said, that God reached out to humans and provided a way of escaped, which we could not do ourselves.

Furthermore:
1. Why would Christ empower US to do what HE has promised to do?
2. "Go and sin no more." is a command. I don't see any "promise" here.

About empowerment, we do the willing and the doing, Christ supplies the power.

"Go and sin no more" is like "pray in faith without doubting", also a command but since these are the words of God, they are backed by Divine power and authority. It's our privilege to not only believe them but also to set our wills to perform them and if we do the biddings of God become enablings.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.

So just for clarity, Charity (and kland and APL) you guys are living lives of sinless perfection?

Because if you're not...
You are breaking a direct command from God. (Charity's words). And if "his commands are enablings," where is this enabling?
If "we do the willing and the doing, [and] Christ supplies the power." and you're still sinning...does that mean you are not willing? or doing? or is Christ not supplying the power?
So if the heart of your gospel is based on YOU not sinning...you're in trouble.

Have you never read Phil.1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." IMO Jesus BEGAN the work and Jesus will COMPLETE the work.

CHRIST begins the work and CHRIST completes the work. YOU---have faith.

To be sure, there is a component of overcoming and not sinning, but it sure as hell* ain't the "heart of the gospel."

* used intentionally

Signed: JAK the Troll

The silence here is deafening, and I suspect it is because all of you know you are not living perfect lives, and yet you condemn a "practicing lesbian" for being baptized.
I do not claim any kind of perfection, nor to be your judges, but the <***STAFF EDIT***> HYPOCRACY here disgusts me.
To condemn a sinner for coming to Christ is just unbelievable.
And I expect any replies to perfectly exude the character and love of Christ, because YOU ALL have achieved perfection in this life.

David Gates made a reply video to answer objections to his Even At The Door message. He said that he was being accused of date setting. He pointed out that every mention of date setting by Sister White referred to setting a date for Christ’s return. He has set no such date, and is merely one who is "in faith and holy hope... tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and... seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth."

"God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear. 4T 306.3
Many who have called themselves Adventists have been time setters. Time after time has been set for Christ to come, but repeated failures have been the result." 4T 306.4

You say that he is spreading fear? Does the watchman on the wall spread fear when he spies danger rapidly approaching and performs his sacred duty by raising the alarm? Perhaps, he does; however, this is not because of a desire to frighten, but to galvanize God’s people, to rouse them from sleep, to warn that the time to seek God is shorter than it has ever been.

David Gates does not appear to be recruiting new church members. In fact, he has decried the practice of some South American churches that "baptize" thousands of people at once, without grounding them in the truth. To the contrary, he is warning those in the church who are asleep that the time is short. Today is the day we must fill our lamps, purify our souls, and seek God with all our hearts!

I am still seeking the truth concerning the veracity of his message, but I must say that so far, I see only a humble soul, who to his own harm, is faithfully labouring against the will of bureaucrats and legions of church members who long for smooth words that will allow them to continue to sleep.