“The Gospel is the good news that the only one true God, the just and gracious Creator of the universe, has looked upon hopelessly sinful men and women and has sent His Son, God in flesh, to bear His wrath against sin through His substitutionary death on the cross and to show power over sin and death through His resurrection from the grave so that everyone who turns from their sin and themselves and trusts in Jesus alone as Savior and Lord will be reconciled to God forever. ” – David Platt
This is a fantastic description of the gospel but lets make it a bit more portable.
The Gospel is the good news of God’s rescue plan for all of humanity.
It’s both straightforward and powerful. It’s the good news about what God accomplished through Jesus Christ.
In the Bible, we learn that everyone rebels against God and faces judgment. However, the extraordinary part of this good news is God’s response fueled by love, as demonstrated through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. On the cross, Jesus took on the punishment for our sins, redirecting God’s judgment away from us.
This amazing act not only cancels out our sins but also grants us new life and restores our relationship with God. The new life found in Christ is a gift we receive through faith and repentance as we turn away from our sins and embrace Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul articulates, “Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.” This verse encapsulates the essence of the Gospel—the straightforward yet profound message of Jesus’s work that brings salvation, restoration, and renewed life—all because of God’s undeserved grace.
Definition of the Gospel
To begin, let us define the term “Gospel.” It comes from the Greek word “euangelion,” which means “good news.” The New Testament refers to the proclamation that through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus brought God’s reign to our world. With this basic understanding, let us explore the Gospel’s simple yet powerful message.
God, Mankind, & Jesus Christ
1. What is our problem?
Our fundamental problem is sin, as plainly stated in Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This isn’t a selective issue—it’s universal, affecting everyone. Sin creates a gap between us and God, touching every part of our lives.
Sin goes beyond specific actions; it is a bigger issue that is part of our very nature. It influences our thoughts and intentions and affects everyone, regardless of our differences. This shared problem has real consequences, keeping us from the perfection and holiness of God — Romans 3:23 reminds us that sin is not just a collection of mistakes but an inherent condition we all face.
Understanding that sin is humanity’s shared problem is crucial. It’s not just about personal wrongs but a condition that affects our relationship with the Creator. Recognizing this universal challenge sets the stage for exploring the Gospel’s power in addressing our collective need for God’s plan of redemption and reconciliation.
2. What is God’s solution to our problem?
God’s solution to our sin problem is rescue plan laid out in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” This verse captures the essence of God’s plan. God sent Jesus to rescue us from the consequences of sin. It wasn’t a distant or passive response but an act rooted in profound love. The giving of God’s only Son, Jesus, underscores the depth of His compassion and the commitment to address our brokenness.
The pivotal role of Jesus, from His life to His death and resurrection, becomes the focal point of this redemptive story. He isn’t just a theological concept; Jesus is the embodiment of God’s solution, demonstrating perfect love, obedience, and righteousness. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus takes on the weight of our sin, providing a pathway to reconcile us with God.
The Gospel is a message of love in action. It’s an invitation to respond to God’s love, accept the salvation offered through Jesus, and enter into a renewed relationship with our Creator.
3. How can I be included in His solution?
To be part of God’s solution is simple, it’s about having faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 lays it out plainly: “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” It means that salvation is not based on our deeds or actions but on our trust in Jesus and the work He has done through His crucifixion and resurrection.
Understanding this involves a shift in perspective. It’s not about our efforts or achievements; it’s about relying on Jesus for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that our inclusion in God’s solution comes freely through His grace. It’s a reminder that we don’t earn it; it’s a gift received by trusting in Jesus.
So, being part of God’s plan is accepting an invitation to a gift. It’s about letting go of self-reliance, recognizing our need for a Savior, and putting our trust in the redemptive work of Jesus.
Our Response
Faith – Reliance on Jesus for Salvation
Our response to the Gospel is rooted in the faith we where just talking about. Hebrews 11:1 explains faith as the assurance of things hoped for. It is not a theoretical belief but a practical act of relying on Jesus for our salvation. Our faith in Jesus goes beyond acknowledging Him; it is an active and dynamic trust in His promises.
We need to actively place our trust in Jesus and recognizing Him as the ultimate source of our salvation. This faith is a confident assurance of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through this genuine faith, we find our security in the transformative power of the Gospel, where our salvation is firmly rooted in the person and promises of Jesus Christ.
The Exchange – Crediting Jesus’s Righteousness to Us
At the heart of the Gospel is a powerful exchange—our sin for Jesus’s righteousness. This exchange is the foundation of restoring our relationship with God. It’s not just an idea; it’s a living reality in the Gospel message. Jesus, sinless, takes on our sins; in return, we receive His righteousness. This isn’t about what we’ve earned but a generous act that reshapes how we stand before God.
Remember, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation to God happen by “grace alone,” through “faith alone,” in “Christ alone.” This was often referred to as “the great exchange” by Martin Luther, emphasizing that our salvation is not about our efforts but a gift of grace. This, again, is reinforced in Ephesians 2:8-9 which states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Faith is the bridge through which this grace flows, and Christ is the exclusive foundation of this exchange. Understanding this underscores the beauty of the Gospel, as our renewed connection with God is solely grounded in His undeserved favor and the redemptive work of Christ.
The Holy Spirit, Discipleship, and the Gospel Message
When we genuinely put our trust in Jesus, it should lead to a change in our behavior, which demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Our identity, which was once sinful, is replaced by Christ’s righteousness, resulting in a complete transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we start to think and act like Jesus. Initially, this transformation affects our perception of sin, but over time, it progressively influences our choices and actions.
Discipleship is one of the natural responses to the transformative power of the Gospel. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples. By embracing the good news of salvation through Christ, the Holy Spirit gives believers a desire for understanding and growth. The journey of discipleship involves a continuous process of learning, applying, and sharing the truths of the Gospel.
As people become believers of the Gospel, they also become messengers of the good news. This allows the message of the Gospel to reach future generations. Discipleship is our response, where we integrate our understanding of the Gospel with the practical application of Jesus’s teachings of love, grace, and forgiveness in our everyday lives.
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So, What Is the Gospel?
The Greatest News of All
The Gospel is the good news that through Jesus, we find salvation. It’s the message that expresses God’s love for us through Jesus Christ. It rescues us from sin and death, offering a solution based on pure love and grace. Believing in this message leads to eternal life, unwavering hope, and discipleship. It’s the greatest news, bringing salvation, forgiveness, and a renewed connection with our Creator. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to respond to the Gospel by putting your faith in Jesus Christ today.
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