What Is the Gospel?

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 5
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The word "gospel" means "glad tidings," or "good news." It is not glad tidings if we must either save or help to save ourselves by our own efforts. God saves sinners by grace, not by works, "lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
It is not good news if we must be saved partly by the good works or prayers of others. They have all been sinners, as we are: "All have sinned." Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). And "the wages of sin (even a single sin) is death," while "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).
It is not glad tidings if we may be the children of God today, and lost tomorrow, for then we can not have peace. But the gospel gives settled peace and joy to the believer's soul. The Apostle Paul says, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).
The true gospel of Christ is the greatest good news, for what does the sinner want? Does he want forgiveness? The gospel promises "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 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. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5).
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. 10:99That 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. (Romans 10:9).
Does he want everlasting life? The Lord Jesus Christ says, "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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 shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27, 2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And 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 truly good news. 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 resistance of our hearts towards God, and give either desire or strength to serve Him. And when we receive it, it produces love in our hearts toward Him. "We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19).