Gospel

What is the gospel?

Many things come to mind when a person says “gospel”.  Gospel music.  Black church services.  Love, joy, peace.  These are all things that people associate with “gospel” and because of that, the reality of what the gospel is remains muddied to many.  Simply put the gospel is a message- it’s news.  It’s good news that says “abandon all of your attempts at pleasing God, turn from sin to faith in Jesus Christ- the one who knew no sin, but was crucified, died, and resurrected.”  The gospel isn’t good deeds.  The gospel isn’t charity work.  Though the gospel can find itself alongside of charity and good deeds, it is distinct.

How does the gospel make sense?

The gospel is unfair.  That’s why it is of grace.  If I work for something, I deserve my pay.  But if I don’t work for something, I shouldn’t get any pay.  No one who trusts in Christ has at the same time earned salvation.  It’s a free gift given by grace through faith.  It’s unfair.  Christ-the righteous- was put on the cross and tasted the wrath of His Father.  Sinners-the unrighteous- who believe in the worth and work of Christ (that He is the Son of God and that we are sinners in need of His forgiving work) are set free at Christ’s expense.  It’s unfair, because we don’t deserve it.  But it was the pleasure of God to give many salvation at His own expense, for love, to His glory.  So those who believe in the gospel thank God for His grace, in dealing kindly and giving us what we DON’T deserve instead of what we DO deserve (now THAT would be fair).  So the gospel is recognizing and believing that Christ is supreme over all and that His work on the cross can’t be topped.

Why do I need the gospel?

Men have broken God’s Law (10 Commandments).  God’s Law reveals His character- His nature- who He is.  Men made in His image have not always behaved like Him.

God is holy and has to punish sinners who break His Law- wouldn’t you want a judge to find a guilty man guilty?  God is more righteous and violators of His Law must be punished.

All are guilty, none are righteous- not even your old grandmother.  This poses a problem and is why humanity is at odds with God.  None of us can withstand His fiery wrath- He is an avenger!

Christ took the wrath of God on the cross in place of sinners.  He satisfied God’s wrath by being a substitute instead of all of humanity- woah!  That’s grace!

Imperfect sinners who turn from their sin with faith in Christ alone have their guilty verdict revoked are declared righteous on the strength of Christ’s perfectness.

Imperfect sinners who continue in their sin with no regard for Christ face the guilty verdict all men deserve and are declared guilty.

So if you are reading this today, don’t harden your heart. Repent of your sins and put trust in Christ alone to make you right in the sight of God.

Read the article A Complete Gospel