What is the gospel?

Although I am writing to a predominantly Christian audience, I cannot assume that everyone reading is a Christian. Since this is the case, I would like to plainly lay out the gospel. Christian, before you pass on this post, can I encourage you to read it? The gospel is not something we hear, believe and move on from. It is what we come back to day after day, month after month, year after year, until we are called home. I will lay out this post in four sections: God, man, Christ and response.

God

If we are explaining the Gospel we must start with God. Specifically we must start with God as Creator. Before I begin, I realize that my section on God is much shorter than any of the other sections. However, you will see that God reveals Himself and His attributes through His story in His Word. You will see who He is and what He is like even as I write this gospel explanation. Let us now look at creation in the beginning. As Genesis 1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” He created all things: plants and animals and stars. When all of these things were created, God called them “good.” The pinnacle of creation, however, was man. After all was created, God called His work “very good.” 

Man

Man was created in God’s own image. This is what separated Adam and Eve from all creation. They were commanded to be fruitful and to multiply. Adam was to work and keep the garden of Eden, the first temple. With this, God commanded Adam saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Fast forward to chapter 3 of Genesis and we see that a serpent comes to tempt. The serpent lies to Eve about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and says that God just doesn’t want her or Adam to eat of the tree because then they would be like God, knowing good and evil. Tragically, Eve takes the fruit and eats. She also hands fruit to Adam and he takes and eats. Adam and Eve sinned against God in eating this fruit. In their hearts, they said “I am my own God.” This rebellious act forever changed the world. Because of Adam, human beings are born sinful. This is a huge problem as God cannot even be near sin. He is perfect and holy. So what’s the solution? If we look at Genesis 3:14-15, we get the first hint at the solution. Verses 14-15 say, “The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” That God would reconcile man to Himself is an amazing thought.

Christ

The hint that we read in Genesis 3:14-15 was foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, the serpent crusher. But who is He and why is He important? Jesus is the one and only eternal Son of God. He condescended to Earth, being born of a virgin. Think about that, God the Son stooped so low as to be born and be a baby dependent on his mother and father. Jesus was and is truly God and truly man. He came to this world to live a perfect, sinless life. He fulfilled all prophecy of Himself. Finally, He gave His life as a ransom for many. Jesus came to Earth to die and to take the place of sinners on the cross. Picture this, you and I have rebelled against a holy, perfect and righteous God. We have disobeyed Him, and thus we deserve death (Romans 6:23). In His love, God the Father sent His Son to Earth to die for sinners like you and me. The Son willingly went to the cross and laid His life down for those who would believe in Him. Not only did Jesus die, but He rose on the third day. Jesus’ resurrection is great news for you and I! At the cross, Jesus took on the sin of man and the wrath of God. When He died, the wrath of God was satisfied. So when Jesus was raised from the dead, not only was God’s wrath satisfied but there was and is hope of resurrection life. Why is this good news and what does it have to do with us?

Response

What does Jesus’ death so many years ago have to do with us? I would argue that this is the pinnacle of history. If we truly are sinners who are separated from God and destined for hell, Jesus’ death and resurrection should grab our attention. If the Son of God came to live and die for sinners, like us, how can we ignore the cross? Friends, there must be a response to what Jesus did all those years ago. You must make a decision. Either take Jesus at His word and believe Him, or flat out deny Him. I would encourage you to do the former. What does it look like to respond positively to Jesus? First, understand that you are a sinner and you need a Savior. There is nothing you can do in and of yourself to save yourself from the wrath of God to come. Second, look to what Jesus Christ has done. He was crucified on a Roman cross where He took the wrath of God upon Himself for the sin of those who belong to Him. However, He did not stay dead. He was resurrected on the third day and now has ascended and is sitting at the right hand of the Father. Friends, turn and repent of your sins and believe in Christ. Let today be the day of salvation. For those who already believe in Christ, rejoice daily that your sins have been forgiven and that you are a friend of the King.