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What is the gospel?
Knowing the answer to this question is vital if one is to receive salvation and have a life-transforming relationship
with Jesus Christ, for belief in the wrong gospel will not save, but condemn (Galatians 1:6-9). 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides
a good summary of what the gospel is:
"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:"
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let
him be accursed."
Galatians 1:6-9
The gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance
from the power and penalty of sin according to the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Why is this such wonderful news?
You and everyone else has been born with a fatal condition. This condition is called sin.
Why is this condition so serious?
Because God is sinless and hates sin, for sin is rebellion against His perfect and righteous standard. And your sinful
actions makes you an enemy of God (Romans 3:23; James 4:4). God made man imperishable, in His own image (Genesis 1:27). He
made man so that he may have continual fellowship with Him. But when sin came, the intimate fellowship between man and God
changed.
According to Genesis 3, humanity became separated from God when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him and ate the fruit of the Tree
of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the tree from which God had forbidden them to eat. Humanity became separated from God because
all people are descended from Adam. As a result, the sinful nature Adam acquired through his disobedience was passed down
to all people, including you. Because of this inherited sin nature everyone sins. It comes naturally. It is part of the fabric
of being human. Adam's sin placed you apart from God and under His condemnation (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22). The effect
of sin on you is that it extends to every part of your personality -- your thinking, your emotions, and your will. This does
not mean that you are as evil as you can be, but it does mean that sin has extended to your entire being. The lost person
is dead in his sins. All are sinners and cannot do anything to save themselves. Without the sovereign, regenerating power
of God, such a person is blind and deaf to the message of the gospel (Romans 8:7-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14), and is totally unable
and unwilling to accept salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
Many continually try to end the separation between themselves and God by their own efforts. They live "a good life",
or are religious, or adhere to a particular ethical philosophy. But these attempts at reaching God are futile, and fall infinitely
short (Romans 3:23). They are all tainted with sin. Sin is a cancer that infects all.
But there is hope! There is an antidote to sin and its deadly effects. As John 3:16 states,
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Also,
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Jesus bridged the gap by His atoning death on the cross and ended the separation. Jesus was special because He was born
of a virgin by the Holy Spirit. He was not born of Adam's seed as all other human beings are, and so therefore did not inherit
a sinful nature. He did not have the tendency to sin as we all do. The Bible teaches that
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 6:23
It also teaches that
"without shedding of blood is no remission."
Hebrews 9:22
In the Old Testament, God forbade sacrifice of spotted, deformed, and sickly animals (Deuteronomy 15:21; Malachi 1:7-14).
He did this because a spotted, sickly, or deformed animal could not be a perfect sacrifice to pay for sin. Only a clean, healthy
lamb without spot or blemish could be sacrificed. The lambs offered as the payment for sin in the Old Testament pointed forward
to the time when Jesus Christ, the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God, would take the place of sinners and take upon Himself
the just punishment for all their sins. As in New Testament times, people living in the Old Testament period were saved by
faith (Habakkuk 2:4). They looked forward to a perfect Savior who would cleanse from sin and establish righteousness. Not
merely outwardly, but most importantly, inwardly. God is more interested in our heart condition rather than our external condition.
He is more concerned with our motives than outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7). God is more interested in a humble and repentant
heart than in sacrifices or offerings (Psalms 51:16-17).
The good news that Jesus Christ commissioned His apostles to preach was His death on the cross for sinners and His resurrection
from the dead (an historical event that provided immutable proof of His deity and the truth of His teachings, especially those
regarding Himself being the only way to salvation). This good news, or gospel, is called "the power of God unto salvation
to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). The apostles taught that salvation is by the grace of God alone through faith
in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 4:3-5, 10:5-13). They were uncompromising in this message, and
condemned all attempts by others to add anything to it. The Apostle Paul taught that belief in any other gospel that was a
"different gospel" brought the condemnation of God rather than salvation (Galatians 1:6-9).
A "different gospel" is a gospel that on the surface may appear to be genuine and lead to salvation, but in
the end it leads to eternal condemnation. This "different gospel" is a counterfeit gospel. It is a perversion of
the gospel of the grace of God. It denies the complete ability of God's grace alone to save, to preserve, and to perfect the
believer, and adds human works or merit. It is a "gospel" that seems right, feels right, and appears to offer the
way to eternal life, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25).
There are some religious groups that teach that Jesus' death on the cross was not enough to pay for all of our sins. They
say that one has to perform certain good works, certain rituals like water baptism, belong to a particular church, observe
certain religious days, or make other human additions in order to be saved. Or they teach that Jesus' sacrifice covers only
previous sins, but good works must be performed to cover present and future sins so that salvation may be received. This,
however, is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Jesus, before He died said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The Greek
text uses the word tetelestai, which means paid in full. This means that our sins were paid for completely.
Jesus did all the works necessary to secure salvation for sinners without their help. He didn't pay for some sins and
then require sinners to pay the remaining balance with certain rituals or with good works. He paid for all sins -- past, present,
and future.
Atonement for sin was done once and for all on the cross. It was not a down payment. The full price was paid at that time.
God is not a loan company and His grace is not a loan. His grace is a gift. Jesus did not do an incomplete work that requires
sinners to finish it. He is a perfect Savior who actually saved sinners, not a potential Savior who actually saved no one
(Hebrews 9:12), but needed human help for His grace to perhaps become effective. The Bible says.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:8-10
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
Romans 4:25
"but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
Hebrews 9:26
Jesus Christ died an excruciatingly terrible death on the cross. He was the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God, who paid
the price sin in order to end the separation between humanity and God. He suffered the punishment and separation from God
that was the due reward for your sins. He did this because of His unfathomable love for sinners.
When you understand that you are a sinner worthy of death (Romans 3:23, 6:23) and that you cannot earn God's love in any
way, you are beginning to see your need for a Savior. When you confess your sins to God and accept Jesus as your Savior and
Lord, He forgives you eagerly, instantly, and completely. God does not keep a record of your sins; He removes them far from
you; God remembers your sins no more; your sins are blotted out like a thick cloud; and your sins are thrown down into the
depths of the sea, never to be remembered against you anymore (Psalms 103:12, 130:3-4; Ezekiel 33:16; Isaiah 44:22; Micah
7:19). Scripture teaches that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7). Not just some sin or most sin, but all
sin. He was buried and He rose from the grave three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). When you truly believe this in your
heart and place full trust in Him your entire life becomes transformed (2 Corinthians 5:17). You will begin to bear good fruit,
and you will have the promise of God that He who began this good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus
(Philippians 1:6). He will never abandon or cast you away from Him (John 6:37; Hebrews 13:5). According to His sovereign grace
He will see to it that you make it home to heaven (1 Corinthians 1:8; Jude 24).
The entire Trinity is involved in the safekeeping of Christians. The Father has given believers to the Son (John 6:37-44,
17:9), the Son has asked that they be kept (John 17:11, 20), and the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer forever (John
14:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19).
Romans 10:9-10 says:
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:9-10
Ephesians 1:13-14 says:
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after
that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 1:13-14
Galatians 5:22-25 says:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Galatians 5:22-25
When you believe the gospel you will become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ will live in you (2 Corinthians
13:5) and you will have a totally new outlook on life. Before, with your sinful nature, you sinned without much concern. But
with Jesus in your life, you will now desire to love and serve Him, and others (Galatians 5:13). The Holy Spirit transforms
sinners like yourself into the kind of people God wants you to be, and fulfills the very purpose for which Jesus died: to
redeem sinners and change them so that they will truly love God and serve others as He commanded in John 13:34-35.
When you as a believer in Christ Jesus live your life focusing on the goodness and glory of God, you will become changed
into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18) and naturally seek to do what is pleasing to Him.
When you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, He becomes your peace (Ephesians 2:14) and you have true fellowship with God.
There are times when you will sin after being saved. You will struggle with sin till your dying day or until Jesus comes again.
What gives you hope is that salvation is assured to those who trust completely in Jesus' finished work of redemption (His
life, death, and resurrection). So you should never feel that salvation is lost due to sins committed out of weakness. You
should repent, confess your sin, accept the Lord's promise of forgiveness, and let Him help you back to your feet. But you
should never allow the devil to trick you into thinking that salvation is lost. You can rest in the promises of God's word
that salvation is assured to those who believe in Christ Jesus (1 John 5:11-13), and that God who begins this good work in
the believer will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). However, sin does break your fellowship with
God, though not your union with Him. Sin also brings down God's chastisement on you to discipline you and turn you around,
as a loving parent would do for his own child (Hebrews 12:6-7). 1 John 1:9 grants the assurance that in confessing your sin
to God fellowship is restored. God's grace is powerful and sufficient to save. It is not an ineffective grace that necessitates
human additions (i.e. works, performance, etc.) to perhaps make it effective.
To summarize, the gospel of Christ reveals that:
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All are sinners and cannot do anything to save themselves. (Romans 3:23)
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Jesus Christ, God's Son, is a perfect Savior for sinners, even the worst. (John 6:37-44; Hebrews 7:25)
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Jesus Christ died for sinners, was buried, and rose again on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
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It is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. (Romans 1:16)
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Salvation comes only through Jesus. (Acts 4:12)
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Salvation is the gift of God by His grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by any works you do. (Ephesians
2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)
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Salvation comes through the blood of Christ, which makes the sinner righteous before God and brings reconciliation with
Him. (Romans 3:25, 5:9)
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Salvation comes at the moment the sinner believes the gospel. (Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
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Salvation is granted by God and secured by God. (John 10:27-30)
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Jesus perfectly accomplished and completed all the works necessary to save sinners just like you. (John 19:30)
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Salvation is completely of God and not of man in any way, and it is to the glory of God alone. (Romans 8:28-30; Romans
9; Ephesians 1)
The Bible says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). But what does it mean to "believe
on the Lord Jesus"? It means knowing yourself to be a sinner, and that Christ died for sinners. It means abandoning all
self-righteousness and self-confidence in your own works, supposed merits, faith, repentance, and personal obedience, casting
yourself completely upon Him for mercy and peace. It means exchanging your natural hatred and rebellion against God for a
spirit of grateful submission to the will of Christ through the renewing of your heart by the Holy Spirit.
You may wonder how you, a person lost and dead in sin, can repent of your sins and place your trust in Christ if I have
no natural ability to do these things. Look to Jesus, speak to Jesus, cry out to Jesus, just as you are. Confess your sin,
your impenitence, your unbelief, and cast yourself on His mercy. Ask Him to forgive you and give you a new heart, working
in you true repentance and saving faith. Ask Him to take away your evil heart of unbelief and to write His law within you,
that you may never stray from Him. Turn to Jesus and trust Him, and pray for grace to turn and trust more thoroughly. Look
to Christ to draw near to you as you seek to draw near to Him. Watch, pray, and read and hear God's Word (the Bible); worship
and commune with God's people in a local church where the word of God is taught.
Jesus holds out His hands to you in invitation. You do not need to go to eternal punishment in hell for your sins. No
matter where you have been or what you have done, come to Him and He will welcome you with open arms. Please do not harden
your heart in refusal; do not say tomorrow you will come to Him. Tomorrow may never come (Proverbs 27:1; 2 Corinthians 6:2;
Hebrews 3:15-19).
There is grace from the throne of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for sinners like you so that you may not
be condemned for the wicked things you have done. No matter what they are or how terrible or numerous they have been, His
grace is greater than your sin and is able to save you. The Bible declares that anyone who trusts in Jesus will never be put
to shame (Romans 10:11). It also says that there is now no condemnation for those who place their faith in Christ Jesus (Romans
8:1).
Isaiah 55:6-7 says,
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will
have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:6-7
If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, please accept His free gift of salvation right now. Do
not postpone acceptance for what you think is a more convenient time, but honestly confess your sin and give yourself up here
and now to Christ, who alone can save you.
"As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from
his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways."
Ezekiel 33:11
The choice is yours today, right here, right now.
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