What is the Gospel?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is THE Good News. Without Jesus Christ, there is no Gospel. But in a world where sound doctrine and truth has been rejected for ear tickling & soft sayings it is the utmost importance for the message of Christ to ring forth. We see a similar picture to today when Paul the Apostle gave his sermon on Mars Hill  as stated in Acts 17:22-31 - “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”  

But what does this mean?

To understand the importance of the Gospel's good news, we must first realize the bad news of humanity's condition. As Paul said that God will judge the world in righteousness, our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Humanity's will after the Fall of Adam has been radically corrupted with a sinful nature and cannot choose the things of God (Romans 5:18) We are condemned as we cannot conform to God's standards, (Romans 3:10-11) and the penalty of this is death. (Romans 6:23)

However, despite the judgement of death for humanity, there is a rescue. God has provided a way of Salvation. This salvation is wholly dependent on the Lord, (Acts 4:12)  and not reliant upon yourself or your decision. It is a gift of God's grace, and not through any works of the sinner. (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

When God's wrath was to be poured out upon sinners, this wrath was instead poured out on Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Christ, as God in flesh, purchased through His death (Colossians 2:13-15) salvation for those that God gave to Him.  Christ makes intercession to His Father on their behalf.  (1 Timothy 2:5) For those whom He died for, His righteousness is attributed to them. (Romans 5:19)

When heeding the proclamation of the Gospel the Holy Spirit calls sinners to righteousness. (John 6:37-40) During this regeneration, a sinner's heart of stone turns into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) and they are given faith as a gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Since man is dead in his sins (Ephesians 2:5) man must be born again to see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are sealed by that purchase  for the inheritance of Heaven. (Ephesians 1:13-14) Because God is eternally faithful, believers are eternally secure. (Philippians 1:6) Though life may throw trials, temptations, and snares believers can rest assured in the works of God (Romans 8:28-32) as they repent of their sins, take up their cross and follow Him.