As I sit here at my desk reflecting on previous blog posts, I am amazed at how many biblical themes are present within each one (See Blog ). Themes such as faith, perseverance, hope, truth, sovereignty, joy and sanctification are embodied within each writing. Oh, I know, not outright as if each were the main point, but interwoven, within each storyline, you can observe these elementary truth’s. Why is that? To some it may seem odd, to others unimportant, but to those with “eyes to see and ears to hear,” it is obvious.
All of these topics have one thing in common. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Each of them, not only individually but collectively as well, find their origin in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let me illustrate. In order for a person to be born again, he must “believe” in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). It is also true that the believer (Christian) is then exhorted to live from that point on by faith (Colossians 2:6).
What then encourages and equips the believer to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) is the truth of God’s word, which is all about His Son Jesus, and the hope of His coming again (John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 3:12, 4:13-18). And in that daily walk of faith believers will deal with opposition, persecution, trials and the like, and the Bible teaches that those who are His will persevere unto the end (James 1:12; Matthew 24:13; 1 John 2:19). One truth that overshadows all the above is this: God is in complete control and will complete, for His glory, what He has begun (Philippians 1:6; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10)!
So you see, the gospel is important. The gospel saves and is the foundation for all that is to follow in the life of a believer. The rejection of the gospel, the good news about the atoning work of God’s only Son, as a substitute for sinners like us, will result in God’s wrath remaining on such a person and they will perish (John 3:16,36). Ultimately, to be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
The gospel, believed and received by faith forever changes a person. It is good news that begins in a very bad place. We all have sinned and deserve God’s righteous judgment (Romans 3:23). No amount of good works can pay the penalty of our sins, which is eternal separation from God (Ephesians 2:8-10; Revelation 20:11-15). God in love sent His eternal Son Jesus to take on human flesh and die in the place of sinners (Luke 2:1-40; Hebrews 10:5; Mark 15). He offers eternal life and forgiveness of all sins to everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 3:16). Salvation is not a reward for human works, but is God’s free gift to all who truly believe in Jesus alone for forgiveness (Ephesians 2:8-10).
This offer of forgiveness is made free to all (Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:16), it is right before you as a precious gift from your creator (Ephesians 2:8-9). Will you receive this gift of love? Or will you turn away from Him who made visible, in the greatest of ways, His love for sinners, for you (Romans 5:8)? You can go here to find more about the GOSPEL
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