What is the Gospel?
“Hallowed is Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it
is in Heaven,” Matthew 6:10.
This coming and much needed Kingdom on earth, led
by God’s tested, approved, and beloved son, Jesus Christ, will consist of people
who have been justified by "obedience of faith," “having been filled with the fruit
of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Romans 1:5;
Philippians 1:11). God will dwell in them and they will be His, for it is written, “indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD” (Numbers 14:21).
But there’s a problem which must first be dealt with – our nature, rebellious
and self-centered - certainly not glorious. The only way to defeat “this body of death”
is to destroy that which has the power of death – sin, “and sin is lawlessness”
(1 John 3:4). But who could possibly deliver us if “all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)?
"For THIS reason also, God highly exalted him...”
Philippians 2:8-11
God, through His Holy Spirit, caused Jesus to
be “born of a woman” (Luke 1:26-38; Galatians 4:4)
in order that Jesus might have the same nature
as those he came to save (Hebrews 2). In our case this nature produces in us
thoughts and actions of immorality, murder, envy, stealing, lying, and other evil
deeds (Galatians 5:19-21).
But though Jesus also came "in the flesh" (1 John 4:1-6; Romans 8:1-4), nevertheless, by the Spirit and in a love for his Heavenly Father’s
Word and purpose for mankind, striving against all temptations, Jesus never once gave in to
the flesh’s selfish, ungodly impulses, even up to his agonizing death on a torturous
cross (Philippians 2:8-11; 1 Peter 2:21-25). And that’s the victory he won!
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we
are, yet without sin,” Hebrews 4:15.
Therefore, since Jesus committed no sin, “God
raised him up again, putting an end to the birth pains of death, since it was impossible
for him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24). By raising him from the dead, God furnished
proof to all that Jesus is “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (Romans 6:10,11; Acts 17:31; John 14:6).
What about us?
Since we, by nature, have not rendered perfect obedience to God, does that mean
that we are without hope? No, for whoever truly believes in their heart this gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, then God his father, “the Father of mercies,” graciously accounts that person's faith as "righteousness" and freely forgives the sins of those who then:
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Enter into a covenant relationship with Him through faith by baptism “into Christ” and turn from doing “works of death” (Acts 2:36-41; Hebrews 6:1,2;
Galatians 3:26,27).
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Participate in fellowship with others in His son Jesus’ victory over sin (the atonement)
by obeying him and “walking in the Light” (Acts 2:42-47; 1 John 1:7; Romans 8:13,14).
“There is,
therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death,”
Romans 8:1,2.
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:8,9.
This is
how we can receive God’s “Good News” (called the Gospel) and participate in His coming reign on earth
through Jesus Christ, for “The humble...shall inherit the earth”
in the resurrection
“on the last day” (Matthew 5:5; John 6:40).
“He who has believed and has been baptised
shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned,” Mark 16:16.
Related Links
http://www.one-gospel.org
http://www.thechristadelphians.org
Free Resources
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