The word gospel means glad tidings.
It is not glad tidings that we must either save or help to save ourselves by our works. God saves sinners by grace, not by works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5).
It is not glad tidings that we must be saved partly by the good works or intercession of others. They have all been sinners, as we are, and if saved at all we are saved through Christ alone. “All have sinned.” Rom. 3:23. And “the wages of sin (yes, of a single sin) is death”; while “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.
It is not glad tidings that we may be the children of God today, and the children of wrath tomorrow, for then we could not have peace, but should live in fear; but the Gospel gives settled peace and joy to the believer’s soul. And thus the Apostle Paul says, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1. And again, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Phil. 4.4.
The true Gospel of Christ is indeed glad tidings cheering to the heart. For what does the sinner want? Does he want forgiveness? The Gospel proclaims “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Eph. 1:7. Does he want to be counted righteous before God? The Gospel says, “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:5.
Even so Abraham “believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Rom. 4:3.
Does he want salvation? The Gospel says, “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.” Rom. 10:9. Does he want everlasting life? The Lord Jesus Christ says, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47. Does he want to be kept until the’ end? Christ says, “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.”
John 10:27, 28.
This Gospel is indeed glad tidings. This is the only Gospel which can remove fear from our hearts, and give us peace with God. This only can take away the natural enmity of our hearts towards God, and give either desire or strength to serve Him; and when we believe it, it produces love in our hearts toward Him. “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. He so loved us as to give His Son to die for us, “the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” Again, “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:26.
Search the Scriptures, whether these things be so. (Acts 17:11.)