The Way of the Gospel
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . .” -1 Corinthians 15:1–4
(Jesus is the Gospel)
What is the Gospel? The word gospel simply means “good news.” It is the quintessential message of the Bible, centered around the person and work of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul provides the most succinct summary in this way: the man Jesus who is also God. He is the Christ, who died on the cross in place of sinners (all inclusive: history past and history future), paying the penalty for their sins. Three days later He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. This is the good news in that to all who believe in Him He gives them the gift of eternal life.
(Message and Messenger)
While central to the Message of the gospel is Jesus himself, the disciples are the Messengers of this gospel and the witness of its benefits, a transformed life. Such testimony is Enabled by the Grace, demonstrated on the Cross, in history, and Empowered by the Spirit of God, on the daily basis, in the life of a Disciple. Every victory whether it’d be in the body, soul, or mind of a disciple, is a testament to the relevance and efficacy of the Gospel. This is the redemptive act of God in restoring the crown of His creation, humanity, from sin and death, a loss of God's image.
(Proclamation and Demonstration)
Thus, preaching the Gospel comes in two, Proclamation and Demonstration. Proclamation is done through preaching and teaching of the word concerning Jesus and the salvific act of God in history. While the Demonstration is done through the disciples of Jesus living out the power and authority of the Kingdom, through a transformed life, as they carry the mission of transforming the lives of others. Both proclamation and demonstration are equally important to the Gospel of the Kingdom.
The Err of Religion
The great reformer Martin Luther rightly said that, as sinners, we are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways. The first is religion/spirituality and the second is the gospel—the two are antithetical in every way.
A Comparison:
Religion says that if we obey God, He will love us. The gospel says that it is because God has loved us through Jesus that we can obey.
Religion says that the world is filled with good people and bad people. The gospel says that the world is filled with bad people who are either repentant or unrepentant.
Religion says that you should trust what you do as a good moral person. The gospel says that you should trust in the perfectly sinless life of Jesus because He alone is the only good and truly moral person who will ever live.
The goal of religion is to get from God such things as health, wealth, insight, power, and control. The goal of the gospel is not the gifts God gives, but rather God as the gift given to us by grace.
Religion is about what I must do. The gospel is about what I get to do.
Religion sees hardship in life as punishment from God. The gospel sees hardship in life as sanctifying affliction that reminds us of Jesus’ sufferings and is used by God, in love, to make us more like Jesus.
Religion is about me. The gospel is about Jesus.
Religion leads to uncertainty about my standing before God because I never know if I have done enough to please God. The gospel leads to a certainty about my standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus on my behalf on the cross.
Religion ends in either pride (because I think I am better than other people) or despair (because I continually fall short of God’s commands). The gospel ends in humble and confident joy because of the power of Jesus at work for me, in me, through me, and sometimes despite me.
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