What Is the Gospel?

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 5
THE word GOSPEL means good news, glad tidings. It is not the gospel that we must save ourselves, or help to save ourselves, by our works; for we never did, nor can we do, a single work that could bear the examination of a holy, heart-searching God, in whose sight the very heavens are not clean (Job 15:1515Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. (Job 15:15)). JOB 15:1515Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. (Job 15:15)Therefore Scripture says, “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight “(Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)). ROM 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)
Nor is it good news that we must partly be saved by the good works or intercession of others. They have all been sinners as we are; and, if saved at all, they were saved through the blood of Christ alone. For “all have sinned” and the wages of sin is death; while "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 3:23; 6: 2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). ROM 3:23; 6:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
23For 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 good news that to-day we may be the children of God, and in a state of grace, and to-morrow children of wrath; for then we could not have peace of heart or mind, but should continue full of slavish fear. The gospel was intended to give settled peace and joy to the believer's soul. And Scripture 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)). ROM 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1) And again," Rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:44Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)). PHI 4:44Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
The gospel of God is indeed good news, cheering to the heart. For what does the trembling sinner want? Does he want forgiveness? We have redemption through
Does he want to be cleansed from his sins?
Does he want to be counted 'righteous before God?
Does he want salvation?
Does he want everlasting life?
Does he want to be kept until the end?
This gospel is indeed good news. This is the only one which can remove slavish 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 us either desire or strength to serve Him; and when we believe it, it produces love in our hearts towards Him. Then we can say we love Him, because He first loved us; so loved us as to give His Son to die for us, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. 'We become His children, as Scripture says: “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," members of His blessed family forever (1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19); 1JO 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) 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); JOH 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) 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18); 1PE 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18) Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26) GAL 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)).
Believing in Him, we shall seek God's glory, and do His will, and go about His business; and, knowing that we are not our own, but bought with a price (even the precious blood of Christ), we shall glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)). 1CO 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
“FAITH is not what we do or feel;
It is a simple TRUST
In what the God of love has said
Of JESUS as the Just.”