The Gospel is the Good News that is mentioned exclusively in the New Testament of our Bible today. The Gospel is both the truth proclaimed by Jesus, His disciples, and His written Word and the narrative of His life and ministry on earth. Before we put our heads together on what the Gospel is for, we need to be on the same page regarding what it truly is.
The Gospel is the narrative about Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the truth that brings salvation to those who believe and follow His ways. But what makes the Gospel the “Good News” for us?
When we talk about the Gospel narrative, it starts with the Nativity of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:4-14) and continues with Jesus’ ministry on Earth (Luke 3:23, John 17), His death, resurrection (John 19-20), and ascension (Acts 1). It is the account of His disciples about what transpired while Jesus was still on earth. And within these faithful narratives, we find Kingdom truths that serve as the very foundations of the Christian faith.
In order to satisfy the Law’s righteous requirement, the gospel includes Jesus’ death on the cross as a ransom for our sins—a sacrificial lamb. Animal sacrifices were made according to the Old Testament Law on a yearly basis as a reminder of sin and a precursor to Christ’s impending sacrifice (Hebrews 10:3–4). For everyone who will believe, that symbol came true when Christ gave Himself on the cross. It’s fantastic news that the atonement’s work has now been completed. As stated in Romans 4:25, “He was handed up to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification,” the gospel also mentions Jesus’ resurrection on the third day. It is really wonderful news that Jesus overcame both sin and death.
What the Gospel is Not
Now that we understand the essence of the gospel, let us discuss further what the gospel is actually not. Some equate the complete Bible or the Word of God with the Gospel. While it is true that the Gospel is in the Bible, the entire Bible is not the Gospel as a whole. The Gospel is about the divine life and eternal sacrifice Christ has done for mankind.
Another misconception about the Gospel is the idea that believing in the existence of God without acknowledging the divinity of Christ is already believing in the Gospel. This is not true because the Gospel involves the truth that Jesus is fully Man and fully God. While Christians are justified by faith alone, this same faith is hinged on the specific truth of the Gospel and not on the general truth of God’s existence. The Gospel does not refer to the practice of going to a Sunday service and hearing the preaching of the Word. For it is possible to attend services every Sunday and hear a part of the Word and be transformed, but this action is not the Gospel because it does not have the power to forgive sins and give eternal life.
What is the Gospel for? Why should every human need it? How important is this in the life of a Christian? These questions are best answered through the very words of Christ.
The Gospel is an invitation with a message that only Jesus gives life and life to the full.
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:9-10
Jesus knew exactly why He had come to Earth: Die for our sins and be resurrected back to life. He told His disciples that He would be the Only One who could give a satisfying life on Earth to whoever would follow Him. There are a million offers to become happy and to enjoy life but there is only One that can truly make one feel that He has his life to the full and that is none other than Jesus Christ. The gospel of Christ gives life and life to the full.
The Gospel is a reminder that Jesus had come to serve and not to be served.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41
A King is worthy to be served. A Ruler receives just as He deserves. A leader in a nation has people working out his plans for him. But the Lord Jesus Christ, as He fulfills His role to be the King of Jews, did not live a life on a bed of roses, instead, He rolled up His sleeves and washed His disciples’ feet; He went to the outskirts, taught the Word of God and healed the sick; He received the sinners, the tax collectors and the prostitutes. He came on Earth to serve the unworthy. This Gospel is mindblowing for many communities because we have been used to serving the ones at the top. The Gospel is a faithful story that a King came to rule by His humble service.
The Gospel is a reminder that Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people…” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Continuing with the verse earlier quoted, Christ knew there has to be an exchange for the sins of the world. No one can be a sacrifice except for Him because no one else is qualified. The Lamb that was slain was pure and holy. Unlike mankind, Jesus is the only one who lived a sinless life. Hence, He is the only one who can bear the sins of the world and become resurrected because death could not keep him in its grip (Acts 2:24). The message of the Gospel tells the great and sufficient sacrifice of Christ for many.
The Gospel is a victorious message that Jesus came to destroy the works of the evil one.
“…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
1 John 3:8
The Greek word evangelion, which translates to “good message,” is the source of the English noun gospel, which originally referred to news of a war victory. Ever since Adam and Eve got punished from the first sin, the devil has ruled the Earth and sin holds a grip in the life of humankind. (Romans 3:23). But Christ has come to break these chains. Christ resurrected so that He would be the first among those who belong to Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Now to those who live for Him through receiving the Gospel, they are now and forever living a victorious life against the works of the enemy. The Gospel is a reminder that the Christian life is not a life of comfort and self-preservation but a life that is geared towards advancing God’s Kingdom in the world.
Christians anchor their faith on what Jesus has done on the Cross so that their sins would be forgiven, be reconciled back to the Father and we would have Eternal Life. This is not just the basic message of Christian preaching but also the foundation of Christian living.
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