I have to admit that even though I keep saying preach the gospel, preach the gospel, I feel as though I am saying it just out of convenience by using a familiar jargon commonly understood by other Christians. Often, as Christians, we tend to dilute the gospel and take things out of it, or add to the gospel by putting in things that do not belong. We have no excuse to do so out of convenience, or out of our desire to please other people. The bible constantly warns against people who preach not the one true gospel. Taking any part out or adding anything else to it is serious, and no one would be spared if they do so, not even angels or the apostles (Gal 1:8-9).
In Paul's letters to the churches, he constantly warns them of false teachers who preach a gospel that is not of Christ. Back in the first century, the Jewish leaders who kept the law insisted that Christ isn't enough, and Christians need to follow the Jewish laws as well in order to be counted righteous. Paul warns the Christians of these teachings and labelled them as "false teachings", and reminds the Christians to only follow the one true gospel. There is only one true gospel.
The gospel message is at the core of the Christian faith and shapes the entirety of our Christian lives, which are lived as a response to having received the gospel. What then, is the gospel? Trying to explain the gospel in its entirety will take some time, from talking about our sin to Christ's saving acts on the cross, from our very wretchedness to God's grace, and that we are counted righteous through faith in Christ Jesus alone. Despite its importance, Christians often lose sight of it and become more concerned with the peripheral rules and expectations. Paul Tripp, an American pastor and author, spoke in an interview on Theology Refreshed by Desiring God about preaching the gospel to yourself. According to him, it is essential for Christians to remind themselves again and again the gospel message, because that is what will shape the way they live as Christians, not living godly lives for the sake of it but as a right response to belief in the gospel. The gospel message is the foundation of godly Christian living.
The Gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
Dr RC Sproul
Being at the core, the gospel is and should be the key message for reaching out to non-Christians as well. Telling the gospel gives a complete picture about God's love and His grace even in our utter disobedience to Him. Therefore, it is vital for Christians to know what the gospel is, if not there is no way that we can talk about the gospel in entirety and truth.
Thankfully, many authors and publishers have helpfully put together some books and resources that will help us to understand the gospel and keep our eyes on it, by telling us the gospel message. Of course, the best read to understand the gospel is still the bible. Here are the links to some of the resources that you may find helpful. Go and hear the gospel.
1. 9marks Ministry
2. Ligonier Ministries
3. 2 ways to live
4. DesiringGod.org
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