What is the Gospel?

"...repent ye, and believe the gospel. " - Mark 1:15b

   There are many people who ask "What is the gospel?" If we're told to repent (have a change of mind) and believe the gospel, then it would be a good idea to find out what the gospel truly is. Often times, the gospel is refered to as "the good news." However, let us examine a few verses in scripture below:

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

   Notice the last sentence: "...that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" This is the gospel. Long before Christ came to this earth, prophecies were written and spoken of him. Every single prophecy concerning Christ's birth, life, death, and ressurection came true. There were over 300 specific prophecies about Jesus Christ which were fulfilled. The odds of another person fulfilling these are well beyond billions and trillions. This is the good news. That, while evil men have often claimed to be a god, the one and only son of God came to earth and fulfilled what was written of him so that you and I don't have to spend an eternity in hell.

  Jesus Christ , the son of God, humbled himself by being born a mere man. He was born of a virgin. He spent his entire life - perfect, rightous, and without sin. He was a man and yet he was God. He had compassion on  the sinners. He healed the blind, sick, and deaf. He taught thousands upon thousands of people about God the father and himself. His ultimate purpose, however, was to become the offering of our sin.

Hebrews 9:22b "...and without shedding of blood is no remission."

Matthew 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

   The bible makes it clear that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. The word "remission" in the first verse means liberty, forgiveness, or pardon. Because of Christ and his willingness to die for you... because of his willingness to humble himself and experience a horrible death... because of God's son shedding his own blood for you, you are able to obtain forgiveness; a full pardon. This forgiveness is not temporary nor can you lose it. Without this forgiveness, without the blood of Jesus Christ, every sinner would spend an eternity in hell. It is only by his righteousness that we are able to escape eternal torment. This is why the gospel is considered the good news. But, for the lost person, the person that has never asked Jesus to save them, the "good news" isn't good.

   If you've never placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, now's the time to do so. On the day of judgment, God will hold everyone accountable. Just one sin is enough to spend eternity in hell, because God a righteous and perfect judge. You might say "Well, I refuse to believe God would condemn anyone! That doesn't sound like a good God to me!" Well, imagine a car theif walks into a court room. He's guilty and everyone knows it. There's plenty of evidence; there's even video of the man taking the car. If the judge were to look at all of the evidence and let him go, everyone would be shocked. In fact, it would be more then obvious that the judge was doing a poor job. We could even say "Hey, that judge is corrupt!" But you see, God isn't corrupt. In God's court, he cannot let someone go who has sin on their record. Otherwise, God would be unjust and corrupt.

   By the shedding of Christ's blood, you and I have the opportunity to be found perfect on the day of judgment. When I stand before God he won't look at my sin, but to the blood of his own son, Jesus Christ. God will see Christ's righteousness, not my sin. Why? Because I've placed my faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and have asked him to save me.

For me, the gospel is good news. I know the truth. I won't spend an eternity in hell. Where will you spend eternity?

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13


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