What is the Gospel?

The summer of 2013 was pivotal in my faith life. I had walked largely away from the church and I was not leading a life that was pleasing to God. But what changed everything for me was hearing the Gospel clearly for the first time in my life. So, it is my intention to offer a clear presentation of the Gospel, which simply means “good news”, here.

The problem.

God created our world, and he created the world good (Genesis 1-2). Through our first parents, Adam and Eve, sin and death entered the world (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-14). It was their sin that created the affinity we have for sin. It was this reason that hate, calamity, and injustice became prevalent in our world.

God, being holy, hates all sin, hate, and injustice (Psalm 5:4; Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 92:15). Being that He is a just God, requires Him to bring righteous judgement on all sin and sinners (Romans 1:18-20). That includes both you and I. There is nothing we can do to solve the problem that is our sin (Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:11-18).

The solution.

At the right time, God sent His son Jesus into the world. The mission of Christ was to save the world from the wrath of God, by taking on the wrath of God Himself (Galatians 4:4-7). Jesus led a life of mercy and justice. He lived a perfect life and lived out the commands of perfectly. Then Jesus was falsely accused, convicted, and sentenced to death. He did this so that those who placed their trust in Him, might be saved.

What did Jesus dying do?

Jesus did not only die, but he also lived. Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. And on the cross, Jesus took the entirety of God’s wrath. He exhausted it and satisfied it for those who would trust in Him. Thus, Christ legally and completely traded our sin and the wrath we deserve, taking it on Himself. And in return, we receive Christ’s obedience and the love of the Father he deserves, through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Faith in Him?

We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). This means we recognize what Christ has done for us and we trust that He has done, what He said He has done. This is the essential Gospel. All of this is ours if we respond in repentance and faith. We must turn from our sin and trust in Christ. Repent and believe the Gospel.