There was a woman who felt her husband wasn’t giving her the proper attention she deserved. Nothing she did would get his attention. One day, she was out shopping and wandered into the pet store. Sitting on a pedestal was the ugliest, strongest looking bird she’d ever seen.

The salesman told her it was a one-of-a-kind bird that had been imported, called the Gooney Bird. He asked the woman if she was interested in a demonstration. She said yes, and the salesman said, “Gooney Bird, the table.” The bird flew down and smashed the table to pieces. “Gooney bird – the shelf.” The Gooney Bird quickly destroyed the shelf.

The woman thought this would get her husband’s attention, so she purchased the bird and took it home. When her husband saw the ugly beast, he asked what it was. “It’s called a Gooney Bird,” she replied.

Her husband replied, “Ha! Gooney Bird, my foot!”

The dictionary definition of gooney is “a foolish or awkward thing.” It is something that might not seem dangerous or destructive, but can be harmful or destructive. When it comes to the message of salvation, anything outside of a pure grace message is gooney.

“Gospel” is a simple word that means “good news.” A pure grace gospel is good news. Any variation of a pure grace Gospel is bad news. Why? Because even if you are able to understand the Gospel in spite of the unclear message, you will never be successful in the Christian life. You will always be wondering, “Am I really saved?”

The Corinthian church received the Gospel from Paul, and they stood in the Gospel. If you have a correct understanding of the Gospel at the beginning, you will be someone who is secure in their salvation. You can stand firm in the Gospel.

Don’t let the gooney bird of works destroy the pure Gospel of grace!