God will not compromise because He has provided one clear, exclusive gospel that is the only means of salvation.
God has made the gospel plain and definite—Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He is not willing to accept any alternative, regardless of good intentions or human effort. The example of Cain and Abel shows that doing what God says is crucial; rationalizing another way is unacceptable.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 — This passage defines the gospel by which we are saved, showing it is a specific and unchanging message.
The Bible declares that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This gospel is explicitly defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: 'Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.' This is the clear, non-negotiable message. Furthermore, Scripture warns that adding anything to faith for salvation cancels the work of the cross (Galatians 5:2-4). God justifies the ungodly who believe, not those who work (Romans 4:5).
Les Feldick emphasizes that God will not compromise on salvation because He has made the gospel simple, plain, and definite. He points to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as the clearest presentation of the gospel, even surpassing John 3:16. Les teaches that believing the right thing is crucial; it is not just believing 'something and anything.' Salvation is by faith plus nothing, and any attempt to add human effort—whether circumcision, baptism, church membership, or any other work—as part of salvation actually cancels the work of the cross. He uses the example of Cain and Abel to illustrate that God requires His way, not human rationalization or good intentions. God is not winking at sin; He has fully paid the price, so He is just in justifying those who believe.
The gospel is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day. This is the message that believers must hear and believe to be saved. Les Feldick calls this 'the gospel of your salvation' and stresses that it is not just any belief, but belief in what God has specifically revealed.
God will not accept someone who tries to come by another way, even if they seem good or have good intentions. Les uses Cain and Abel to illustrate this: Abel believed God and brought what God required, while Cain rationalized and brought his own effort. God rejected Cain because he did not do it God's way. Similarly, God is not going to accept anyone who thinks their own behavior or efforts will earn acceptance. Adding anything to faith for salvation cancels the work of the cross.
Les makes a distinction between believing in God and believing God. To believe God means to take Him at His word and act on what He has said. For example, concerning the gospel, it means resting on the fact that Jesus died and rose again. This is what brings salvation—not just a general belief in God's existence, but a specific faith in the gospel message.
The Gospel Defined
Les points to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as the clearest definition of the gospel that saves, even better than John 3:16.
Adding to Gospel Cancels the Cross
Les warns that adding anything to faith for salvation cancels the work of the cross, and millions will miss heaven because they've done this.
God's Justice in Justifying
God is just in justifying the ungodly because He has paid the total price for sin; He is not cutting corners.
Cain and Abel: God's Way Only
God will not accept anyone who rationalizes a different way, just as He rejected Cain's offering. It must be God's way and done by faith.
Believing God vs. Believing in God
Salvation requires believing God—resting on what He has said about the gospel—not merely believing in God.
Hearing and Believing the Gospel
After hearing the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4), the next step is believing, and then God seals us with the Holy Spirit—no other requirements are added.
Works Cancel the Cross
Doing anything for salvation—circumcision, baptism, church membership, or any work—cancels the work of the cross; Christ said 'It is finished.'
Knowing What We Believe
We must know the plan of salvation clearly; believing something and anything is not enough.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This is the definitive statement of the gospel that saves; it is the central message that must be believed.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Shows that salvation is apart from works, only through faith in God who justifies the ungodly.
Galatians 5:2-4: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Warns that adding any work to faith for salvation makes Christ of no effect and cancels grace.
Genesis 4:3-5: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Illustrates that God rejects any offering that is not according to His revealed way.
The gospel that saves is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, all according to the Scriptures. This is the message that must be believed to be saved.
God has made the gospel exclusive—salvation is by faith in Christ's finished work, not by human effort. Adding any work, such as baptism or church membership, to faith actually cancels the work of the cross and leaves one lost.
Believing in God is just acknowledging His existence, but believing God means taking Him at His word and resting on what He has specifically said—especially the gospel message that Christ died and rose again.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospel Is Hidden From Some People — 2 Corinthians 4:1-4