The answer to this question is the most important piece of knowledge one can know. It is an answer that is complex and explains our existence and purpose in relationship to our Creator, and yet simple enough that it can be received with child-like faith. The word gospel means “good news,” specifically good news about Jesus Christ. Paul summarizes the gospel in his greetings to the Romans:
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
If we look closely, we have the important elements of the gospel in this passage.
Concerning Jesus’ human nature, He “was descended from David according to the flesh.” This David is none other than Israel’s famous King David who defeated Goliath. And just as David had an ordinary body of flesh and blood, Jesus also had an ordinary body of flesh and blood. He became man so that he could walk through this life just as we do, but without sin. He became man, so that He could die in our place. No other creature could die for us except for another one of us.
He “was declared to be the Son of God.” This teaches us of His Divine nature for He was also God. He humbled Himself and stepped down from heaven for a time on the earth so He could be Immanuel, God with us. He needed to be God so that he could live perfectly, without sin and be like a lamb without blemish for a sacrifice. He needed to be God so that He could endure the wrath of God that we deserve while He hung on the cross.
He took the blame for our sin so that we don’t have to take the blame on judgement day. That cross was a death sentence. He died and was buried in a tomb, but death could not hold Him. “By His resurrection from the dead” we know that He was victorious over sin and death. He came back to life as a victorious King and is now reigning as our Lord at the right hand of God the Father. This is indeed good news!
Why is it such good news? Our sin has separated us from God. Every human being is infected with sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Our sin deserves punishment from God. “For the wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23). Our sin separates us from God, but the good news is that He made a way to be joined to us once again, and that is through Jesus Christ. The creator of the heavens and the earth wants to have a relationship with us!
So how do we receive this good news? We cannot earn it or pay for it, for that would be impossible for us to do. We must receive it by faith alone. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” (Ephesians 2:8,9). We cannot pay for it or it is no longer a gift. We cannot earn it or it is no longer grace.
- By faith, believe that God is a Holy and perfect God who will punish sin.
- By faith, believe that you are a sinner, deserving eternal condemnation.
- By faith, believe that Jesus paid the debt that you owe to God in full.
- By faith, believe that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed victory over sin and death for you.
- By faith, ask God to forgive your sins and wash you clean with the blood of Christ.
- By faith, turn away from your sin and live a life of repentance.
Christ, through His sacrifice, has freed you from the bondage of sin. He has freed you to live for Him under His kind and loving leadership. God wants us to come as we are, but he doesn’t want us to stay as we are. He wants to begin a life-long remodeling process, making us more and more like Him each day.
If you have not come to Jesus yet, then come today. He is calling for you. Hear His voice and come. He wants you to love Him, live for Him, and enjoy Him.
Please contact us if you have questions about Jesus and the good news of the gospel.
This link will also provide you with what others have to say about “what is the gospel?”
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/gospel-definitions-2/