This is the gospel that you heard …
Summary: There are many ways to describe the Gospel message. Paul excels at demonstrating how this is done.
The word “gospel” comes from the Greek word “euangélion,” meaning “a good message” (Strong’s G2098). Here at Three Minute Bible, we tend to capitalize the word “Gospel” when referring to the good news about Jesus Christ. It is a personal decision, and as you can see from the text, the NIV translation does not use this capitalization.
When Paul uses the word “gospel,” I often find myself wondering what he means. Reading Paul’s letters is like standing at the foot of a waterfall, with words cascading down at such a fast pace that it’s hard to take them all in.
If we look back over his letter so far, there are several passages that speak directly to the Gospel message. Verse thirteen captures the heart of the Gospel this way:
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves …” (Colossians 1:13)
As Paul continues his letter, he explains how this works:
• Jesus redeems us (v 14)
• We are forgiven our sins (v 14)
• Jesus is the image of God (v 15)
• Jesus is the head of the church, the body of Christ (v 18)
• Jesus did this by shedding his blood on the cross (v 20)In verses 21 through 23 he restates the Gospel message this way:
• We were enemies of God in thought and deed (v 21)
• God reconciled us to him through Jesus’ death (v 22)
• In Jesus we are perfect in God’s sight (v 22)
• Our need to continue in faith in Jesus (v 23)There you have it: three versions of the Gospel message, and Paul has barely started into his letter!
The Gospel is not complicated. What is complicated is trying to understand things we cannot see or possibly know. I am reminded again of God’s words through the prophet Isaiah when he says:
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
God’s ways are beyond us. Period.
We can try to explain it with fancy theories and big words, but the essence of the Gospel message is simple: God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us, so we can be with Him forever.
Application: Trust Jesus. Thank God!
Food for Thought: What happens when we make the gospel complicated?
I think we lose sight of the message that Christ brought. That God has not abandoned us because of our sin, that everyone who believes in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection can be reconciled to God through Him. That everyone who places their faith in Christ and makes Him Lord of their life is counted as blameless.
When we start making it complicated we run the danger of including our works into God’s plan for redemption. That God reacts to us, instead of that we receive from God. His grace is all around us, never-changing, the difference in measure is in our willingness to let go of ourselves and submit to His good Will.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chris,
Thank you!
You write that complicating things can “run the danger of including our works into God’s plan for redemption.” Well said!
Well said CH!
What happens when we make the gospel complicated?
1 Corinthians 1:22-23, For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom but we preach Christ crucified a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.
2 Corinthians 11:3, But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
As a convicted non-believer I was called to BSF, and I had to have a bible. I went to Christian Supply and the sales lady asked me, what kind.
In my wisdom, I replied give me any of them, they all say the same thing. Well when I got home, I opened the box and found she had given me a King James Version, and I could not understand a word it said. ( I have always wondered if this lady gave me the King James to humble me, she certainly did. )
Back I went, humbled, I explained my problem to the lady and was given a children’s bible. As we began our study of the book of John, I would study both versions and within 6 weeks, I was a born again believer. The Holy Spirit used the simple words of the baby bible to place God’s truth’s into my heart.
In time I put the children bible away, and here 47 years later I still carry my duct taped, King James, with written notes on almost every page.
But, when our Lord brings a non-believer to me, I speak to them in words found in the baby bible, knowing God will provide meat as they are ready.
1 Corinthians 14:19, nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].
Very good R2D2
Thanks Ron!
I like the story about the “baby Bible!” 🙂
We loose the heart of the message, we become like the Pharisees and miss out on the big picture.
Yep. That is exactly right!