It is important for us to have a solid understanding of what the gospel is so that we will know when and how we have obeyed it. Its importance is indicated in the first chapter of the book of Romans, where Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rm. 1:16). It is impossible to be saved apart from the gospel. But, what is the gospel?
The root meaning of “gospel” is “good news.” It is the good news of salvation from sin on the basis of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The apostle Paul identified these three components of the gospel in his preaching at Corinth, saying, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Cor. 15:1–5). The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ comprise the framework of the gospel message. Built around that frame, the New Testament teaches us how to respond to this good news.
Good news demands a response and, where there is insufficient response, there has been a failure to be sufficiently impressed by the glorious nature of the gospel. On the other hand, when we have been sufficiently impressed with the gospel, we will want to respond in a way that glorifies God.
Good news is best understood in the context of bad news. The bad news is that, because of our sins, we are without hope and destined for eternal punishment. The good news is that Jesus became sin’s atoning sacrifice. Through Jesus Christ, we can receive the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). This is good news! In a world where sin is minimized and personal accountability before God is seldom emphasized, the good news of the gospel is unappreciated. But, when our vision clears and we are able to see with a view toward eternity, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes our most cherished treasure. This good news demands a life-changing response.
— Glen Elliott —