What is so GREAT about the gospel?
The gospel is great in that it promises salvation to sinners. A scientist was once asked “what is the greatest discovery that you have ever made?” He responded, “The greatest discovery that I ever made was that I was a sinner in the sight of a holy God.” God’s Word confirms that discovery as true, not only of that scientist, but of every man and woman on earth.
Romans 3:23- “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Ecclesiastes 7:20- “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”
Mark 10:18- Jesus said “…there is none good but one, that is, God.”
Consequently, sinners come under the condemnation of Almighty God (Romans 1:18). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23) and eternal judgment in the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8- “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Sin cannot be overcome or erased by good works. No matter how pure a life we could live from here to eternity, we cannot undo our sin, and we cannot cleanse our hearts. The Word of God is clear, good works such as baptism, church membership, charitable donations, or similar things cannot take away sin.
James 2:10- “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Titus 3:5- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done” are we saved.
But this is where the gospel, which means “good news”, comes in. Romans 1:16 refers to the “gospel of Christ.” It is the good news of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15 defines the gospel as this- “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scripture, and that He was buried and rose again the third day, according to the Scripture.”
Jesus died on the cross for our sins, suffering the punishment that we deserved. He was the sinless substitute sent by God on our behalf. The same scientist said, “I made a second great discovery- that Jesus died to save a sinner like me!” That is great news!
Romans 5:8- “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Isaiah 53:5- “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”
Jesus then rose from the dead bringing eternal life to those who believe on Him.
John 11:25-26- “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”
Another great thing about the gospel is that it is given to all, not just to a certain class, race, or gender of people.
Romans 1:16- “The gospel… is the power of God unto salvation TO EVERY ONE that believeth.”
John 3:16- “For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The gospel is great in that it is a gift received exclusively by faith. The demand of God to sinners who seek to be saved is not to live a moral or good life. We never could. The demand is not a certain number of good works. God’s demand is this- “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
To every sinner, no matter how sinful, the offer is the same- eternal life through Jesus Christ as a gift from God (Romans 6:23). A repentant thief in the final hours of his life confessed his personal guilt before God, acknowledged the judgment that he deserved, and then looked to Jesus and by faith said “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). By faith, he called Jesus Lord, he believed Jesus would rise again (how else could He come to His kingdom), and he believed Jesus operated by grace. That thief received this promise from Jesus- “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” We all must come to God the same way as the thief. We must repent, confessing our sin and guilt before God and turn to Jesus in faith, believing He will save.
Ephesians 2:8-9- “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 10:9- “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Have you made these greatest discoveries? Have you believed the gospel- the good news- the BEST news? Jesus Saves! Believe on Him to save you today (2 Corinthians 6:2).