No other gospel

Lately, I have been reminded that the gospel saves us and keeps us saved. There is nothing else that brings peace between God and man and delivers us from the deadly peril of condemnation but the gospel of Jesus.

The gospel gives us assurance of eternal life. The gospel is the foundation of our faith- without it, Christianity does not exist and our faith is useless. It is the gospel that has Christians living lives that are distinct from the way the world lives. The gospel makes believers shine like stars in a dark evil world. The world scoffs at them and deems them silly or crazy; the world persecutes them as they are offended by the gospel claims about Jesus.

The gospel is the message of Jesus Christ, based on true eyewitness accounts and backed by scripture. His life, death, resurrection, and the authority he has been given by the Creator God to rule and sustain all things in heaven and earth to the glory of his name and the restoration of his creation. 

“3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”    

 (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

and 

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:16-20)

For many who do not believe, Jesus’ blood shed on the cross is a weak message. Yet, for us who have been redeemed by his blood, the gospel is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes. God shuns the wisdom of man through the simple message of the gospel so that no man should boast but that his power to save through this message may take centre stage as people come to faith. 

As I have been reminded of the importance and power of what may look like a simple message. I am convinced that because of this message, there is the hope of life after death for death has been defeated as Christ rose from the dead. In his resurrection, Jesus is Lord over death and Lord over everything in heaven and on earth. Jesus brings everything under his reign, thus fulfilling God’s purpose and plans. 

Let us stand firm then in this message. Let us stand firm against every wind of doctrine, deceitful schemes, or any philosophy, human thinking, and culture that does not point to Jesus Christ. Let us neither lose heart nor be ashamed of proclaiming Christ truthfully as we keep our eyes on the confident assurance and hope that we have in the gospel.