I'm obviously compelled to write an article on "The True Gospel" because a false gospel has been promoted to the world for many years. Particularly here in America, the true gospel has been tainted by preachers with selfish motives and a people who desire easy solutions to hard problems. I see great danger in what the word "gospel" has become in the mouths and hearts of many who proclaim it. Anyone familiar with the Bible will recognize that the word "gospel" means good news concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It truly is a message that the apostles laboured diligently to declare to the world. The true gospel is a message of hope and deliverence from sin. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. With these words nearly all professing Christendom would agree. So what is the need to define the true gospel? The devil has been subtle to allow us to have our bibles and have our churches and yet still keep us from the deliverance of the gospel. He has done it by manipulating these facets of Christianity until they are powerless. He has done it with the unbiblical church set-up, which so many attend. He has done it with the way he has established preconceived notions of truth in people's minds, keeping them from approaching the scripture with sincerity. Perhaps his most clever and darkest work has been in disguising the gospel as a set of intellectual creeds one must simply mentally agree with. Many devout people preach the gospel on these terms. "If they can get people to nod their head at a few points, they tell them "Your Saved!"
Ex: "Do you want to go to heaven?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you believe he was buried and rose from the dead?"
"Uh-huh."
"Congratulations Brother! (pat on the back) You're Saved!"
Needless to say, this approach to the gospel is found nowhere in the bible. However, many "ministers" have backed this approach wholeheartedly to maintain congregations and perform their own agendas. Interestingly, in a recent poll conducted by NEWSWEEK during the Easter season, 78 percent of Americans believe Jesus rose from the dead; 75 percent say that he was sent to Earth to absolve mankind of its sins. Eighty-one percent say they are Christians. Something in my spirit tells me that the christianity of this poll is NOT the narrow way that Jesus Christ spoke of.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13,14
The gospel goes far beyond intellectual belief in the facts of Jesus Christ dying for our sin and rising from the dead and praying a prayer admitting these beliefs. Much more important is that the redemption and forgiveness of God as displayed by his Son Jesus Christ on the cross penetrate our hearts. Such faith will produce a willingness to lay our entire lives at Jesus' feet as his servant. This is precisely the faith that Paul spoke of in Romans chapter 10:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (vs 9-10)
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (vs 16)
From this we see that a mere intellectual belief does not make one righteous. Also, true belief will alway lead to true obedience. Jesus became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Hebrews 5:9
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17.
What is obedience to the gospel? Is it simply hearing it and mentally ascending to it, while never giving your life to it? You must allow the gospel to sink into your heart and transform you. You must approach the gospel with a humble and contrite heart in deep repentance to receive it's reward.
Repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15
...If he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3
But (God) now commandeth all men every where to repent. Acts 17:30
Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Acts 26:20
For some reason, the preaching of repentance has been neglected in association with the gospel as of late. This is the part of the gospel that offends. It declares that all that has been done without Jesus will perish. Repentance demands a complete release of sin to the atoning work of the cross. Too many souls are convinced of the truth of the gospel while still clinging the lusts and affections of the world. The Holy Spirit brings these disgraces to light in the gospel. Jesus never allowed anyone to still follow their fleshly lusts while being his disciple. He would much rather let them reach a lower point of dissatisfaction and repentance in order that they might truly be saved. Your sins are what have separated you from God. Jesus came to bring you close to God and take away your sins. Are you disgusted with your life? Have all your motives backfired? Do you no longer desire to control your life? Jesus is your Savior. Confess your sins to him. Turn your back on your current way of life. He will forgive you and pardon you and take you into the family of God.
Another defining point of the true gospel is abandonment to the Lord. To truly believe the gospel you also must leave your own life as a sacrifice to the Lord to be used at his command. At the same moment Jesus grants you forgiveness, he also buys you for himself. You are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20 Salvation is experienced in receiving God's pardon and dedicating your life to God as a servant. This is the gospel that was preached in the first century. Have you ever noticed that there aren't really any nominal christians in New Testament. Jesus did not accept half-hearted committment. He demanded a rich man to sell all that he possessed to enter the kingdom (Luke 18:22). Jesus required many others to forsake their careers. The gospel must be received in this manner. Many who preach a humanistic gospel today, indeed received the gospel themselves in a more a devoted manner. But, over time; corrupt teaching has saturated the hearts and minds of those who once believed the gospel in a sincere way.
Let us consider the passover as we think upon the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. The portion of the passover that speaks clearly to those who have been cleansed and forgiven by the blood of Christ is "when I see the blood, I will pass over you". God views the blood of his Son as our pardon. Two aspects of the original passover display the attitude God requires for us to possess the blood applied as our pardon.
1)"Thus shall ye eat it (the passover lamb); with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover."-Exodus 12:11
An attitude that must be present receive the gospel is a readiness to leave a life of bondage to sin. A person who does not want to be a new creature is not a candidate for the new birth.
2)"Even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses" -Exodus 12:15
A common bond among all of God's children is an urgent desire to see sin leave one's life. A true view of calvary leaves a holy disgust for sin in one's heart.
(Jesus) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1Peter 2:24
There is an evangelical movement today that claims that the manner in which we live our life has no bearing on our salvation. In fact, doctrines of justification and imputation have been transformed into an idea that God reads our doctrinal statement more often than he examines our practical living. Certain idle shepherds have informed people that the passwords and scriptures that are given to God at the judgement will have a bearing on their destination. All the while, any scent of holiness and sanctification in the context of the gospel abominably refered to as "works". From these, one might actually get the idea that good works are bad. The truth remains that the work of the cross imparts to us actual, practical righteousness. The cross does not just cover up our sins, it takes them away. (1 John 3:5, Romans 11:27) It does so by killing us. In the day that we first approach God, the cross on which Jesus died calls for our own sacrifice. The cross rudely shows us the verdict of our self-effort and carnal life. With admiration for our Savior, we see our payment, substitute and our end. Hence the necessity of the resurrection as a part of the gospel message, for the resurrection is our beginning.
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15
(Have) your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15
The gospel is good news. We must always esteem the gospel as a powerful means of deliverance to the soul's of men. Those who have experienced some rejection due to the gospel can easily be discouraged by the Devil. Satan will place wicked men, who love darkness, in your path to get you to doubt the peaceful goodness of the gospel. Remember, the gospel is help to the needy and light to the blind. Even your feet are adorable when you carry this precious message of hope and peace. Peace to the condemned sinner is a glorious gift from heaven. It may be a demanding message; but to the hungry it is a gift of love. For him who desires truth; Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. If joy and gladness are lacking in your life, consider the gospel. It is a privilege to know the gospel and a privilege to carry it. This is the powerful gospel that has changed lifes for centuries. Believe it! Live it! Proclaim it!