what is the Gospel?
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I know that this post will be elementary to those who are mature Christians here. But for the sake of evangelism, for those who do not know what the Gospel is, this post is written. May God use it for the salvation of souls.
What is the Gospel?
There are questions we can’t afford to have the wrong answers to. Questions that our eternities hang on and depend. And one such question is the one above: “What is the gospel?”
For sure, you have heard this word gazillion of times already but what is it? Do you know? First, before going into the answer, let me catalog for you what the gospel is not:
The Gospel isÂ…Â…Â….
Â…Â…not the 10 commandments [these only show you that you need the Gospel. it is not the Gospel]
Â…Â….not the whole Bible [The OT prophecied about the Gospel. It is not the Gospel. The NT is the fulfillment of the Gospel{Matthew to John}. The book of ACTS show us the gospelization of the apostles. The Books from Romans to Revelation show us the implication of the Gospel with regards to our moral lives. The NT is not the Gospel. It contains the Gospel]
Â…Â….not the whole New Testament
Â…Â….not All the commandments in the New Testament [these NT commands were given to those who have already recieved the Gospel. They are not the Gospel]
Â…Â…..not Prayer [This is what those who have recieved the Gospel should be doing after they have recieved it. This is not the Gospel]
Â…Â…..not Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. [these individual books of the Bible are not the Gospel, they contain the Gospel]
so what's the Gospel?
The Gospel, dear reader, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and what He did on the cross of Calvary for you and me. The Gospel is the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of sinners. Anytime you hear these words:
“The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of sinners, buried and resurrected for us."
everytime you hear those words my friend you hear the Gospel, the Good News of salvation. YouÂ’ve heard that millions of times already right? You know what the Bible says about the Gospel? You know whatÂ’s the divine commentary of the Bible about the Gospel?
Here read it for yourself:
“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.”
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [Romans 1:16-17]
The Gospel speaks about Christ’s humiliation for our exaltation. From the vantage point of the world, Christ’s hanging there on the cross seemed a failure, a picture of defeat. The world laughs and scorns: “what’s there in a man nailed to the cross? How can that be good news for me……this is plain foolishness.”
But Paul was not ashamed to proclaim such a message. Why? Because “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” The Gospel is the life-boat in a sea where every ship is sinking. The Gospel is the only strong and formidable tower of salvation that men and women can take refuge. The Gospel is the Rock of Gibraltar that stands mighty and indomitable in the midst of shaking foundations. When the smoke clears, only the truth of the Gospel will be seen standing firm unscathed.
“It is the power of God to salvation” it cannot sink; God is its buoy. It cannot crumble; God is its architect and builder. It cannot fall; God is its foundation. It is trustworthy; its God’s saving truth.
Practical Application:
What are you doing with the truth of the Gospel, dear reader? ItÂ’s meant to benefit us sinners like you and me.
Are you trusting it?
a)You are not trusting the Gospel [the work of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ] if you attempt to be right with God through good works.
b)You are not trusting the Gospel if you believe that somehow your good deeds can lessen and atone for your sins.
c)you are not trusting the Gospel if you think that it's your good works + the Gospel can get you to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
d) you do not have true faith in the Gospel if you do not reciieve it with a repentant heart.
He came to die for the sins of sinners and rose again for our justification [justification-meaning that we may be declared perfectly righteous in GodÂ’s eyes forever]. What you must do is trust the Good News of salvation.
Here's the Gospel command: Trust in the saving work of Christ on Calvary alone. May God bless you -
Originally posted by Ironside:
I feel that many Protestants are guilty of d).
Practical Application:
What are you doing with the truth of the Gospel, dear reader? ItÂ’s meant to benefit us sinners like you and me.
Are you trusting it?
a)You are not trusting the Gospel [the work of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ] if you attempt to be right with God through good works.
b)You are not trusting the Gospel if you believe that somehow your good deeds can lessen and atone for your sins.
c)you are not trusting the Gospel if you think that it's your good works + the Gospel can get you to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
d) you do not have true faith in the Gospel if you do not reciieve it with a repentant heart.
The Gospel has became their excuse to sin. -
Originally posted by Icemoon:I feel that many Protestants are guilty of d).
The Gospel has became their excuse to sin.
How has the gospel become excuse to sin? -
If the Gospel is this - “The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of sinners, buried and resurrected for us." - then an overemphasis or rather wrong understanding of justification by faith will lead to that.Originally posted by M©+square:
How has the gospel become excuse to sin? -
if a person wants to commit a sin, he don't need an excuse to do it, he just needs the guts to do it (NOTE: wants to, does not means will, just maybe don't have the chance/ability to do it).Originally posted by Icemoon:I feel that many Protestants are guilty of d).
The Gospel has became their excuse to sin.
if a person don't want to sin, give him ten thousands excuse, he also don't want to sin (NOTE: Don't want does not means won't).
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That is only a handful of people, when they misunderstood the meaning of the central message.Originally posted by Icemoon:If the Gospel is this - “The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of sinners, buried and resurrected for us." - then an overemphasis or rather wrong understanding of justification by faith will lead to that.
Ok. I see your point. -
I disagree, because the gospel can be conveniently misused to support their position. Here are some common "excuses":Originally posted by vince69:if a person wants to commit a sin, he don't need an excuse to do it, he just needs the guts to do it (NOTE: wants to, does not means will, just maybe don't have the chance/ability to do it).
if a person don't want to sin, give him ten thousands excuse, he also don't want to sin (NOTE: Don't want does not means won't).
1. "Who are you to judge me?" .. then they quote their favourite verse. Effectively it means they can explain away any sins with the verse.
2. "It doesn't matter what they think of us 'cos we have God's grace blah blah". Effectively it means they need not self-reflect. If Jesus has forgiven you, who are others to condemn you? -
I hope I am wrong about the numbers.Originally posted by M©+square:That is only a handful of people, when they misunderstood the meaning of the central message.
Ok. I see your point. -
Hmm...i'd reserve my comments.Originally posted by Icemoon:I hope I am wrong about the numbers.
Don't wish to be too critical about this. -
we encourage diversity of opinions.Originally posted by M©+square:Hmm...i'd reserve my comments.
Don't wish to be too critical about this. -
Then its not use as "an excuse to sin" but more like a "cover up of their guilt"Originally posted by Icemoon:I disagree, because the gospel can be conveniently misused to support their position. Here are some common "excuses":
1. "Who are you to judge me?" .. then they quote their favourite verse. Effectively it means they can explain away any sins with the verse.
2. "It doesn't matter what they think of us 'cos we have God's grace blah blah". Effectively it means they need not self-reflect. If Jesus has forgiven you, who are others to condemn you?
The proper use of God's grace is this, that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It is this no condemnation that we, when we do fall (and I bet you, many like me who are imperfect do fall, though it may not be intentational), we can rest in this grace of God, stand up and continue our walk with God, instead of just lie there on the ground and continue in the fallen state.
Like Jesus said, I do not condemn you, now go and sin no more. The power of knowing there now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, gives the ability to resist the temptation of sin.
Imagine if a person thinks God condemn him, you think he dares to go to God and repent and change for the better meh? -
The sad thing is some might not even know they have fallen. so it is not correct to say they feel guilty and are finding a cover in the Gospel.Originally posted by vince69:Then its not use as "an excuse to sin" but more like a "cover up of their guilt"
The proper use of God's grace is this, that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It is this no condemnation that we, when we do fall (and I bet you, many like me who are imperfect do fall, though it may not be intentational), we can rest in this grace of God, stand up and continue our walk with God, instead of just lie there on the ground and continue in the fallen state.
Like Jesus said, I do not condemn you, now go and sin no more. The power of knowing there now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, gives the ability to resist the temptation of sin.
Imagine if a person thinks God condemn him, you think he dares to go to God and repent and change for the better meh?
Your scenario is not very correct leh. 'cos we know God's condemnation, if any, won't last forever. -
This is what Paul saysOriginally posted by Icemoon:The sad thing is some might not even know they have fallen. so it is not correct to say they feel guilty and are finding a cover in the Gospel.
Your scenario is not very correct leh. 'cos we know God's condemnation, if any, won't last forever.Roman 8:1-8
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[d] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[e] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[f] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. -
But the irony is this, that if a christian had truly repented and received Christ into his life, the Holy Spirit would fill him. Therefore a true christian would never be really able to use the gospel to cover for his sins becos the Holy Spirit in him would be prompting him all the time that he has sins in his life... this is like what David describes in his psalm that when he is far from God, its like his life being sapped away......
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so there are true and false christians?Originally posted by gasband:But the irony is this, that if a christian had truly repented and received Christ into his life, the Holy Spirit would fill him. Therefore a true christian would never be really able to use the gospel to cover for his sins becos the Holy Spirit in him would be prompting him all the time that he has sins in his life... this is like what David describes in his psalm that when he is far from God, its like his life being sapped away...... -
He who knows he was forgiven much, loved much;Originally posted by gasband:But the irony is this, that if a christian had truly repented and received Christ into his life, the Holy Spirit would fill him. Therefore a true christian would never be really able to use the gospel to cover for his sins becos the Holy Spirit in him would be prompting him all the time that he has sins in his life... this is like what David describes in his psalm that when he is far from God, its like his life being sapped away......
He who think he was forgiven little, loved litte. -
Being a christian is afterall a very personal and private thingy between you and God. Some people when saying the sinner's prayer do not mean it at all. A good example is my fren who says the prayer with me 12 years ago. I was sincere. But for him, just a few months later, he tells me that he said it becos of me, i say thats why he says, he did not know what was happening at all. When I ask him whether he wants to say the prayer again albeit sincerely, he says he will think about it...until today he still thinking hahaha....Originally posted by laurence82:so there are true and false christians? -
Woohoo!!!!Originally posted by laurence82:so there are true and false christians? -
I think the temptation is still there. It is easy to fall to the dark side.Originally posted by gasband:But the irony is this, that if a christian had truly repented and received Christ into his life, the Holy Spirit would fill him. Therefore a true christian would never be really able to use the gospel to cover for his sins becos the Holy Spirit in him would be prompting him all the time that he has sins in his life... this is like what David describes in his psalm that when he is far from God, its like his life being sapped away......
The important thing is whether you realize you have fallen, repent with a contrite heart and make restitution. -
more like,Originally posted by laurence82:so there are true and false christians?
there are christians and there are non-christians (I am not sure how you want to classify, those who profess they are christians not actually are not, but then how to tell them apart?) -
what is the origin of this sinner's prayer?Originally posted by gasband:Being a christian is afterall a very personal and private thingy between you and God. Some people when saying the sinner's prayer do not mean it at all. A good example is my fren who says the prayer with me 12 years ago. I was sincere. But for him, just a few months later, he tells me that he said it becos of me, i say thats why he says, he did not know what was happening at all. When I ask him whether he wants to say the prayer again albeit sincerely, he says he will think about it...until today he still thinking hahaha....
I feel very wayang leh .. machiam like initiation rite liddat.
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yeah that is very true....very very true...Originally posted by Icemoon:I think the temptation is still there. It is easy to fall to the dark side.
The important thing is whether you realize you have fallen, repent with a contrite heart and make restitution.
in fact, the more you want to become a better christian, the more you want to read the bible, the more you worship, the more you want to reach out, the more Satan wants to disturb you becos you pose a big threat to him. We always joke in church saying that if your christian life has been peaceful thus far, repent becos Satan cannot be bothered about you at all. -
By the fruits of salvation?Originally posted by vince69:more like,
there are christians and there are non-christians (I am not sure how you want to classify, those who profess they are christians not actually are not, but then how to tell them apart?)
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The sinner's prayer is just a general term. There is no standard or correct prayer. It is basically a prayer for a non christian to accept the salavtion and acknowledged Christ as his/her saviour and Lord.Originally posted by Icemoon:what is the origin of this sinner's prayer?
I feel very wayang leh .. machiam like initiation rite liddat. -
They are many so called ways to differentiate but i guess there is no foolproof way and I guess the only way we will know is when we see God in heaven.Originally posted by Icemoon:By the fruits of salvation?