What is the gospel?
If you’ve spent any time in Christian circles, you have undoubtedly heard of “the gospel.” It’s the good news, and the message we preach. It’s a phrase as common to the faith as amen, hallelujah, or if you’re in the South, mmhhmmmm. But as much as we talk about this glorious gospel, there is an important aspect that many choose to avoid.
So then… What is the gospel? What is this “good news,” really?
The gospel is simply the story we’re living, and that story goes something like this:
- God created a beautiful, perfect world
- Man ruined that world by rebelling against God
- Because God is perfectly just, He has to punish all sin
- Sin is punishable by death (Romans 6:23)
- All human hearts have been corrupted, and we will all commit sin in our lives
- Therefore, everyone owes God a debt of death
- Then, two thousand years ago, the Son of God came to earth as a man named Jesus
- He proceeded to live a sinless life, yet willingly offered to die on our behalf
- God’s wrath (and righteous judgement) was inflicted in the death of His Son
- Therefore, all sinners have the choice: they can either accept Jesus’ death, or pay the debt on their own
- For those who choose to let Jesus pay that debt, they are fully absolved, and will one day live in paradise with God
- That, my friend, is the gospel; that is the very good news
So, when it comes to the gospel, we must keep this in mind: if we call Jesus our Savior, then that means we are saved from something.
We cannot shy away from the reality of sin. An imperative part of the gospel, an essential part, is the total depravity of man. We are evil, rebellious, and haters of God—that is, before the Holy Spirit takes over our hearts.
The best way to spread the gospel is by getting it right.
It’s sinners who need to be saved.
Blessings,
