Euangelion – this is the Greek word from which we get our word “gospel.” It literally means good news. The first four books of the New Testament are referred to as “The Gospels.” They are called that because they deal with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is the message of the gospel. Yet this is not the message being preached in many churches, and by many pastors, across the world today.
Too many pastors have exchanged the message of Jesus’ gospel for a social gospel. While it has its beginnings in the late 1800s, the social gospel movement has gained momentum in today’s church. Whether it is because of recent tragedies around the world (such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan), or our country’s economic climate, or a heightened awareness of diseases plaguing other countries, people seem to have a greater desire to help their fellow man. While we are instructed to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:39), this is not the message of the gospel.
Having a concern for people who are hurting or wanting to help those in need are not bad things. In fact these are evidences of a relationship with Christ. They are not, however, what draw people into a relationship with Christ. It is the true message of the gospel that leads people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
So what is the true message of the gospel? What is the good news?
We cannot fully understand how good the message of the gospel is until we understand the depravity of man. The depravity of man does not mean that every person is as bad as they possibly could be. After all, not every person is guilty of stealing, adultery or murder. What it does mean is that every person is born into this world affected by sin. That was Paul’s message in Romans 5:12 when he said, “Just as through one man (meaning Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” In his Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem explains what passages like this mean, and what they don’t mean. “Scripture is not denying that unbelievers can do good in human society in some senses. But it is denying that they can do any spiritual good or be good in terms of a relationship with God” (p. 497).
We are born into this world separated from God and destined to spend eternity in Hell. It may not seem like God cares very much about people if He would let that be their fate, but we have to understand that God abhors sin. God cannot be in the presence of sin. God does, however, desire our praise. He desires a relationship with us. In order for that to happen, sin had to be punished.
This is where the good news comes in. Rather than see all of humanity punished for sin, God saw fit to send His Son to earth and take our penalty for us. He died in our place. Of course that doesn’t mean that we will never die. It means that for those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ, He endured the wrath of God against sin. Every person who has ever lived will die and will stand before God. Those who have trusted in Christ will not endure punishment and will gain access to eternity with God.
We don’t deserve this treatment. It would be perfectly fitting if God were to punish all mankind for their sin. Because of His love, grace and mercy, He chose to offer a way of salvation. This isn’t just good news, it’s great news! This is the message of the gospel.
If you attend a church where the pastor preaches on nothing but how to help our fellow man by improving their quality of life, he is no friend of yours. Our focus should not be on how to improve this life, but how to prepare ourselves for the next.
SDG
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