The Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom.1:16

1. What is this salvation?

The word ‘Gospel’ means good news and we are told that it is the power of God unto salvation; but what does salvation actually mean? Salvation simply means ‘deliverance’ from something, and in this case we are talking about the most fundamental problem of the human race- sin. God’s salvation deals with sin in three ways.
It saves us from the PENALTY of sin.

For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
Rom.1:18.

The wages of sin is death.
(Ezk.18:4. Rom.6:23).

Those who are ungodly and unrighteous and disobey God will, one day have to face the wrath of Almighty God. And this will mean being cast into the eternal death in the lake of fire. Rom.1:18. II Thess.1:7-8 ; Rev. 20:11-15. This is the penalty for sin, and God’s salvation is to be rescued from this judgement. I Thess. 1:10

It saves us from the POWER of sin. Not only does this salvation rescues us from eternal judgement, but also from the power of sin in our lives. Every person who commits sin is enslaved to it.

Jesus answered them Verily verily I say unto you whosoever commiteth sin is the [bond]servant (or slave) of sin. Jn.8:34

Sin is not just acts of rebellion against God but also a disposition in the human heart. It is a power holding men and women in its grip. When Jesus was born He was named Jesus because He should save His people from their sins Mtt.1:21. Jesus also said

“If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed”
Jn.8:36.

And Paul says of those who are really saved.

For sin shall not have dominion [=lordship] over you.”
Rom.6:14.

So God’s salvation is being saved from the power of sin.

Thirdly God’s salvation will save us from the PRESENCE of sin one day. In the present world whilst one may know deliverance from the wrath of God, and enjoy the results of being set free from sin’s power, we are still living in sinful world, where the results of rebellion are all too sadly evident. But for those true believers there is a day coming when they will be a new Heaven and Earth where sin will not be allowed. No unrighteousness will dwell there; we shall indeed be freed from the very presence of sin. II Pet.3:10-13; Rev.21:1-8

2. Why do we need this salvation?

But, you might be asking, what relevance is this to me? The answer to this is very simple: every human being since Adam, with the ONLY exception of Jesus, has sinned and is a sinner.

For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23). There is none righteous, no NOT ONE. Rom.3:10.

The whole of the human race is descended from Adam, and because he sinned and rebelled against God we have all inherited that disposition from him. We are all sinners the moment we are born and have a bias to sin. Rom.5:12-21. And as a result we are all under the condemnation of God.

WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN, WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS TO BEGIN WITH

Without this salvation we can not escape the judgement of God, we cannot be freed from sin’s power, and we certainly won’t dwell in the new heavens where there is no unrighteousness. So each one of us is in the same boat, under the condemnation of God and needing this salvation that God offers.

How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? Heb. 2:3

3. How do we get this salvation?

We all need this salvation so how do we obtain it? What is God’s way of saving us? Firstly it must be understood that the Gospel is the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. It has nothing to do with any ‘church’, organisation or whatever.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth….(Rom. 1:16).

It is ONLY through Jesus that can we obtain salvation. This is because Jesus died for us: that is HE paid the penalty for our sin when he was crucified on Calvary, He was punished for our sins. It is only by Jesus can we have salvation.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead ……..neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust the He might bring us to God.
I Pet.3:18

…who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness by whose stripes ye were healed.
I Pet. 2:24

But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities ……and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isa.53:5-6

The sacrifice of Jesus was unique, it cannot be repeated, detracted from nor added thereto: it is complete, and it is only on this basis can we receive God’s salvation. No one is saved automatically, there has to be a response:

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.
Rom. 10:9

Salvation is a free gift, it can not be earned

For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: not of works lest any man should boast.
Eph.2:8-9

What must you do then to receive this salvation?

You must repent of your sin.

God ..now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.
Acts 17:30

You must come to Christ and receive true life from Him. Speaking to the Jews of His day Jesus said:

Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life
Jn.5:39.

There is no salvation outside of Christ; no man, whether he be called pope, priest or pastor can save you, or provide salvation in any form whatsoever. Will you come to Jesus now and receive the life that He has to give you?

4. When must we have this salvation?

So dear reader you know what this salvation is, you know why you must have it and you know how to obtain it; but you must understand that this offer is for a limited period. One day a time will come when salvation will no longer be on offer.

It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement.
Heb 9:27

Yesterday has gone, tomorrow is not guaranteed to any man or woman; it is TODAY that this issue has to be faced.

behold NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation
II Cor.6:2.

Having heard the gospel message you are without excuse before God. To reject Christ means that your destiny is the lake of fire, there is no other provision. To put it off for another time is the height of folly, for no one can be certain that God will afford you another chance, having once squandered his pleas to you.

The time is now, God is calling, repent and turn to Christ whilst you may.

 

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