The word “gospel” means good news and refers to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Notice three elements:
1. The reason for the gospel. Why is Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection good news? The answer: sin. The Bible is clear — all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and our sin is damning news.
God is holy and will not dwell with sin (Isa. 59:2). God is just and will destroy sin (Ps. 7:11–12; Rev. 21:8). Thankfully God is merciful and can deliver from sin (Ps. 86:5). As our sin separated us from God and made us worthy of hell, our merciful God sent His perfect Son to take our punishment on the cross. Jesus died in the sinner’s place. Jesus endured hell on the cross, was buried and three days later rose to verify that sin’s full price had been paid. That is good news.
2. Think about the response to the gospel. Forgiveness is granted only to those who respond to the gospel according to the instructions of Jesus. Those instructions are given clearly in Mark 1:15 where Jesus says “repent and believe in the gospel.”
A proper response to the gospel means a sinner must repent. Repentance involves turning from all one knows about sin and turning to all one knows about Jesus. Repentance is not a one-time act, but it is a lifestyle of running from sin and running to Jesus as the boss of one’s life. But a new attitude toward sin alone does not save. Notice Jesus says “believe in the gospel.” One can never stop doing enough wrong and start doing enough right to pay sin’s price. So God calls for us to trust in Jesus’ payment for our sin, and He promises to count that faith as righteousness (Rom. 10:9–13).
3. The results of the gospel. Repentance and faith are always followed by a new nature (Ezek. 36:26–27). All things become new.
Do you need forgiveness? Do you desire a new life in obedience to Christ? Then turn from sin, travel with Jesus and trust His work on the cross as payment for your sin.
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