WHAT THE GOSPEL IS

It is good news from God about Christ.  This is the SOURCE OF IT.

Often we who have been in church most of our lives assume everyone understands the terminology we use—and that is a flawed assumption.  So, in case you only have a foggy notion of what the word “gospel” means, let me dissipate any clouds in your mind.  The word “gospel” means “good news.”  That’s it—simple in its definition, but profound in its implication.

The Gospel of God will be Paul’s primary thrust in the epistle to the Romans (1:1).

The good news that is the gospel is predicated on the fact there is bad news.  The bad news is that we are all sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom.3:23), and the wages of sin is death, “For the wages of sin is death....” (Rom.6:23a). But the verse doesn't end there—the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23b) and that’s the good news! It is the Gospel of God because it is His gift to us. He is the source of forgiveness.

That good news can be ours not because we deserve it, but because Jesus was willing to die in our place—so it is also the Gospel of Christ,  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (‭‭Rom.‭1:16‬).

This good news is rooted in the finished work of Christ, which the Apostle underscores in his opening words,
“which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ” (Rom.1:2-6‬).

In a bad news world, this is good news—the best news—that God’s amazing grace can save a wretch like me and like you!