What is the Gospel?

We talk a lot about the gospel here at Raising Everyday Disciples, but what does the word “gospel” mean? 

Some may answer this question by referring you to the first four books of the New Testament. Yes, these are called “the gospels.” Another may say the gospel means “good news.” Yeah, that’s exactly what it means, but how do we break down what this “good news” or “gospel” actually is? Well, lets start from the very beginning…

Creation

In the beginning, God created us to be in relationship with Him, to know Him and to worship Him, the perfectly holy, sinless, one true God. There was no sin and no pain in the world. God dwelt among His people and communed with them. He created all the earth to sing His praises and made people in His image.

Fall

But shortly after God created the world and people, His people were tempted to sin. They chose to follow their own desires over God’s desires and disobeyed His good commands. You see, they trusted in themselves more than God and wanted to be in charge. They doubted God’s goodness and love for them.

So sin came into the world causing a big issue as a perfectly holy and sinless God cannot be in the presence of sin. It would go against His very nature. He couldn’t be in perfect relationship with His people anymore, in fact, the consequence for sin is death. (Genesis 3, Romans 6:23) How would God solve this problem He now had with the people He created, loved deeply, and desired to be in relationship with? Don’t worry, He had a glorious plan from the beginning.

Redemption

Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Did you see the big word in the middle of this verse? BUT! So, even though what we earned for our sin was death, God interceded on our behalf! HE made a way for us to be in relationship to Him. It wasn’t anything we did- no amount of good works (good deeds, going to church, serving the poor, being nice, etc.) could ever solve our problem. Nothing we could do could ever solve our sin issue that separated us from God’s presence, so He made a way for us.

The perfectly sinless God who created the universe offers us this free gift, a gift we could’ve never earned on our own. We couldn’t forgive our own sin or ever be good enough, so He made a way for us to not have to die because of our sin. A way that we could live forever with Him!

What does this verse say the way He made for us is? The only way to eternal life with God is through Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s Son who came to earth as a man, lived a sinless and perfect life, and then died on an awful cross for our sin. 

He died in our place- so that we didn’t have to die. 

He died in our place so that our sin which separated us from God could be forgiven. 

He died in our place so that we can be restored to a right relationship with God our Creator. 

But that’s not the end of the story! He didn’t just die for our sins- after three days of being dead, He rose again from the dead and overcame sin and death. This is incredible news!! If Jesus stayed dead, what would be our hope? If sin and death overcame Him, His death would’ve been for nothing. But He rose again and is alive!

His death and resurrection made a way for us to have new life in His name and a restored relationship with God. He paid the price that we should’ve paid, dying in our place, and now offering us life in Him.

His death not only restores us, but is for all things in His creation as Colossians 1:20 says: “through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Christ’s death brings reconciliation to every aspect of life that sin has affected: physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational, and also to all of His creation.

Restoration

This is not just life for today, but it is for an eternal life worshiping God forever without the presence of sin. Hope for today and hope for tomorrow! While we are continuing to live on earth and still feel the affects that sin has on our daily lives, we can look to our future hope of an eternity worshipping God. An eternity where there is no sin entangling us and where we can freely worship God in His presence. Revelation 21:3-5 says:

“‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” 

What a great hope for God’s people as we await the New Creation! One day God will restore all of His creation to Himself for His glory, honor, and praise!

How do we respond to the gospel?

So, what do we do with all of this information? Do you believe that God did this? Do you believe that Jesus died in your place for you and rose again to offer you new life in His name? It’s not just enough to know this, but we must trust in Jesus as our Lord. In trusting in Jesus as your Lord, you are saying that you want Him to be in control of your life. 

You are willingly offering your life before Him and desiring to follow Him in every aspect of your life. 

You are saying that you love Him, believe Him, trust Him. 

You are acknowledging your sinfulness, asking for His forgiveness, and recognizing your need for Him in your life.

If this is the first time that you have heard this great news, I would encourage you to pray! Trust Jesus as the Lord of your life and begin your relationship with Him.

Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

So, pray to Him! Then, go and tell someone! If you know another Christian, go tell them and ask them what it looks like to follow God and what to do next. If you don’t know any others, please get ahold of me- I’d love to talk more with you and help you find a local group of believers! And if you’re still unsure about it all, do the same thing. Talk with others, read the Bible for yourself and seek understanding, and please also get ahold of me if you’d like!

What if you’ve heard this “good news” a million times before? Is this message still for you? YES!! The gospel is not just good news for one day of your life, but it is good news that we must remind ourselves and praise God for everyday of our lives! Becoming a follower of Christ isn’t just a one- time event, but is the beginning of a new life, lived out with Christ being the center of all that you do. Each day, as followers of Christ, we must acknowledge our need for Christ, continue to be sorry for our sin, and submit ourselves under the Lordship of Christ.

With everyday of preaching this good news to myself, I am reminded of how much more I need to remind myself of the gospel each day and how grateful I am for what a good and gracious God we serve!!

For more on applying the gospel to your life daily, see this post: The Gospel in Our Everyday Lives 

“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12