The Gospel, Part 2

Yesterday we explored the law, and how it leads people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Today, I will speak of the 'good news' aspect of the Gospel.

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all expectation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief”.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 8:12 “. . . I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life”

John 10:27 – 29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto Them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them [to] me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.”

John 11:25 – 26 “ . . . I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die . . .”

Romans 8:31 “What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:38 – 39 “For I am persuaded, than neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Oh, what love God pours out on those who believe on Him! Those who have been saved by grace through faith have every right to claim the above promises.

Such is the gospel. Christ Jesus came to redeem man from sin and the curse of the law. Through Him we have access to every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), redemption and the forgiveness of sin (Eph. 1:7), and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). Once we have faith in Him, we are Justified (Rom. 5:1), our faith being imputed to us as righteousness (Rom. 4:24). We shall never perish, nor can anyone pluck us out of the Father's hand, for He is greater than all (John 10:28, 29).

I write these things, because it is simply amazing how often we forget them. The assurance that God is for us should fill us with joy to the uttermost! The amazing fact that God showed His love to us, even while we were yet dirty, rotten sinners should fill us with gratitude and thankfulness. We cannot repay Him for what He did, but here is what we can do:

Romans 12:2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Think carefully about the above verse. What is he asking us to do? He is asking us to surrender ourselves to him, as if we were a living sacrifice. Such is our reasonable service, or as other translations have put it, acceptable worship.

I believe, that if we all focused more on the Gospel of Christ (ultimately, on Christ Himself), a lot of the problems the Church is facing today would be greatly alleviated. Instead of having every sort of theological debate possible, why do we not just preach the gospel of Christ? I understand that doctrine is important, and we are to content earnestly for the doctrine of Christ, but at the same time I am against theological debates started simply because someone felt like winning an argument. I must confess, I am guilty of selfishly starting such debates, and I am very sorry for ever doing so, as it served no purpose, nor glorified Christ, nor advanced His Kingdom. The Bible speaks very severely of those who are divisive, and I will do my utmost not to get into such arguments again.

I will continue speaking about the gospel tomorrow, specifically as it pertains to the unity of the body of Christ.