The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is really the best news in the world. I say that because
that's in fact the very meaning of the word 'gospel'. It simply means good news.
The Bible and its authors captured this word because it rightly represents that which is
brought to us by God, as the means by which we would be reconciled to him. The means by
which our lives will be transformed. The means by which we will be ushered finally into heaven
itself. The apostle Paul, for instance, writing to
the Romans, puts it this way in the famous Romans 1:16. He says "for I am not ashamed
of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to
the Jew and also to the Greek." And then he goes on to say in verse 17 "for in it the
righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous
shall live by faith." In simple terms, as human beings, from the
beginning of creation we are fallen creatures. Having sinned against God through Adam and
Eve. We are liable to punishment in hell and we also have corrupted natures. Whatever we
try to do in order to turn those fortunes round only make us sink deeper into despair.
And so, there are many religions in the world, yes. But all of them are human beings trying
to reach out to God. And they prove utterly useless. But praise be to God, from the dawn
of creation right until Jesus Christ came, he has been giving us figures after figures
that point to the ultimate coming of His son Jesus Christ.
When Jesus Christ came, he was born absolutely perfect. He lived an absolutely perfect life.
Not only in the eyes of men and women, but much more, in the eyes of God. The final determining
day came when he set aside that righteousness and took on himself the guilt of his own people.
And finally paid that ultimate price for our sin.
As the Bible puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for
us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Well that indeed is the epitome of the good news. The fact that the son of God took our
place, as our substitute. Took the guilt of our sin and paid the ultimate price by being
punished by God in our place. And the good news is this: that if we turn
from sin, in genuine repentance and believe this good news, concerning the person and
work of Jesus Christ, then his righteousness is given to us absolutely freely. So that
we can now be reconciled to the living God and begin to live in union with him.
Notice what I have said, "in union with him". Because it is that union that then results
in all the spiritual blessings. Our ability to overcome sin. Our adoption into God's family
and so many other blessings that come with being children of God. Until, in God inspired
regeneration leading all the way to perseverance, we find ourselves in heaven.
That's the good news. That's the gospel. And I really hope that's what you believe in.