IT is the outcome of the heart of God, whose nature is “love,” and is the divinely appointed means by which God makes Himself known to man. It addresses itself to all without exception. It makes no distinction of race, color, or nationality. It appeals to you, dear reader, whoever you may be. If you are in distress and anxiety about your soul, and desire to know the true way of peace and forgiveness, it is proclaimed to you freely and without reserve in the “glad tidings” of which God is the source and spring (John 3:1616For 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); Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)).
The gospel makes no hard demands upon the sinner. It enforces no stern decrees; it requires no good works or penance to entitle you to its benefits. It comes laden with heavenly blessing to rebel, guilty, undeserving man.
The great subject-matter of the gospel is Christ the Son of God, who is the only Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:55For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)). It has ever been in the mind of God to have His creature, man, in nearness to and in relationship with Himself.
In order that this might be brought about, consistently with His holiness, the Son of God entered into manhood, becoming, in His own person, in the scene of man’s revolt and departure, the perfect expression of God revealed in grace, as well as setting forth in the midst of a ruined creation what a man should be for God (2 Cor. 5:1919To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19); Heb. 7:2626For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26); 2 Peter 1:1717For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17)).
But even the perfect life of Jesus, with all its beauty and fragrance, as under the eye and heart of Him who alone could rightly estimate its worth, could not emancipate a single individual from the thralldom of sin and Satan, under which all were held. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)).
The blessed Son of God laid down His life, to close up forever in death, as before God, man’s sinful history, and to bring to light, in resurrection, a new generation after His own order, with hearts responsive to God the Father’s love (John 4:23; 20:1723But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23)
17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)).
Dear reader, this is the tidings which the gospel brings. Christ is presented as the object of faith, and in receiving Him to your heart as God’s free gift you are brought to the One in whom every blessing centers. As of old, in the dark days of famine, Joseph was appointed to deal out from the granaries of Pharaoh the precious store which could only be found in Egypt, so now the Lord Jesus Christ, risen and exalted to the right hand of God, is the dispenser of all that His death has secured for man.
God has set Him in the place of power and supremacy, having put all things into His hand. And the Spirit of God, who is down here to bear witness to Christ on high, is ready to make Him known to you for the joy and satisfaction of your heart.
The gospel opens out the storehouses of God’s grace and love to every poor famine-stricken sinner who has come to the end of his own resources. Is this your case, reader? Are you in the far country hungry and desolate? Is your heart longing for the Father’s house with its festal hall and well-spread table? (Luke 15) Jesus the Saviour, who dwells in the Father’s bosom and knows its deep secrets, is waiting to make known the love and compassion there is in that heart for you. Appropriate now the living Saviour, who comes close to you in the gospel. Receive at His hands the forgiveness of all your sins and the gift of “living water” He so freely bestows (John 4:14, 7:37; Rev. 21:6, 22:17).
“Saviour, to Thee, a sinner lost and vile,
I gladly come:
Give me to know the sunshine of Thy smile,
And lead me home:
That so my heart and lips may loud extol
Thy name and love, while endless ages roll.
“Thy cross, blest Lord, has closed my sinful past
And set me free;
And now on high, ‘mid scenes of light and rest,
Thyself I see.
Jesus, triumphant, vanquished death for me;
The Father’s house my portion now shall be.”
G. F. K