… the gospel of your salvation.
Summary: What is the gospel? What is salvation? Is it really important to know?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “gospel?” Do you think of the Bible? Perhaps memories of going to church come to mind. Maybe you think of the guy on the street corner handing out tracts.
According to my dictionaries, the word “gospel” originated as an old English word that meant “good news.” The word used in the original Greek texts was “euangelion.” The word “euangelion” began as a word used to describe the fee given to a runner who brought good news.
There is an odd little story in Second Samuel that illustrates this tradition.
King David’s dalliance with Bathsheba was followed by tragedy upon tragedy. Like Adam and Eve’s failure to obey God’s command to stay away from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, David’s failure to obey God’s Ten Commandments left a permanent mark on the people of Israel. Part of that legacy was David’s son, Absalom, attempting to take over the kingdom.
When Absalom was killed, his rebellion was put down. The news of the victory would normally be considered good news. A young man named Ahimaaz wanted to be the one to run and tell King David what had happened, but Joab, the commander of the army, restrained him. He said, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.” (2 Samuel 18:22)
(This goes to show that even before cell phone providers started charging for cell phone service, it cost money to send a message long distance!)
So “good news” was expected to bring a reward to the runner or bearer of good news.
There is another odd twist. The reason Joab counseled Ahimaaz to let someone else take the news was that the king did not want Absalom to be hurt. To bring him the good news of the victory was also to bring him the sad news of his son’s death. In Christ, we have the opposite. We have the sad news of Jesus’ death, followed by the good news of his victory!
The Good News of Jesus’ resurrection is truly the “good news” of our salvation because it means everything Jesus said about himself is true. He has the power to overcome death, and he is the gate to life. Jesus says:
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10: 9-10)
When we share this Good News with others, it is said that we “evangelize.” (The word “evangelize” is another English word that traces its origin back to the Greek word “euangelion.”) And what better news is there to bring to anyone? We all have lived under a death sentence. Jesus offers us life.
Application: Take a deep breath. It is going to be okay. You are going to live!
Food for Thought: If knowing Jesus is really “good news,” why is it so difficult to talk about him with people?
Because of the spiritual battle that rages coupled with our fear and desire to be liked by all people. The enemy does not want the truth of Jesus spread and is well equipped to threaten us and make us silent. 1 Peter 5: 8 – 9. 2 Corinthians 5: 18 – 20 reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ. 1 Peter 2: 9 reminds us that we are to proclaim His virtues. The enemy does not want Christ proclaimed, so we need to overcome his threats and intimidation.
This is why we must engage the enemy by putting on spiritual armor, part of which is the good news that brings peace between people and God (Ephesians 6: 10 – 17). And we must fear God over people. Matthew 10: 26 – 31.
Well said, Rich!
The fear of God overrides all other fears. We stand in faith or not at all.
The selection of verses you chose tell an interesting tale! I’ve linked to all of them here.
To hear and accept the good news as truth means accepting that you have indeed sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That can be a very intense transition. I agree with Rich; the enemy definitely targets our own insecurities and the insecurities of those whom we would share the good news with. Believers worry about what they will say and if they will be rejected, and many nonbelievers worry about what they will have to “give up.”
I believe a key thing to remember is that God will provide you the opportunities to share. Walking under His guidance, the proclamation of His good news starts in the way we live, the words we choose in even the most miniscule of things.
Colossians 4:6 “Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith.”
Chris,
I like your description of our “intense transition” when we accept that we have sinned. Accepting our shortcomings is a big event. Falling into the open arms of a loving God is what makes it possible.
Big topic here. The question is, why is it so difficult? Is it difficult to find someone that will listen, or is it difficult for us to proclaim the truth?
1.) I believe our primary calling is, to follow the example set by Jesus Christ as He humbled Himself before God and ministered to us on earth.
James 4:10, Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He shall lift you up.
1Peter 5:6, Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
John 6:44 tells us, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
AND:
1 Corinthians 1:9, God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we grow in the Lord, He will point us in the direction He wants us to go as we seek to glorify Him in our lives.
2.) Pointing people to Christ requires three things:
1. Confronting their sin.
2. Warning of the reality of the coming judgment.
3. Exalting the supremacy of Christ over all.
The Holy Spirit does the confronting, gives the warning, and exalting!
John 16:8-11, 8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Our Job is to be alert to all those God will bring into our sphere of influence as we remain on earth. Recognize them and allow the Holy Spirit to use us to speak to them as He desires. Break away from our buddies Sunday mornings and minister to the new faces we see, rather than leave that up to the greeters.
Ron,
Thank you! Your words today are powerful. Very well said! Maybe we should put this on a poster and post it at church. 🙂