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Gospel.

Been reading a book called What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert and it is awesome. Such an easy read (believe me, it's all I can do to sit still enough to read... and this is manageable!), and so encouraging.

There's such a trend for talking about the gospel (which is a cool thing!)... we say it, we use the phrase, we throw it in almost every conversation we can manage. But what is the gospel? What is it really??

I'm not sure the conclusion that the book is going to come to-- haven't gotten that far yet :), but I have been thinking about what I would describe to others as the "Gospel". It's interesting because the author posted on his blog the question of "What is the Gospel?", and there were so many different answers.

"Several of us responded by asking questions such as, 'If we're articulating the Christian gospel, shouldn't we include some explanation of Jesus' death and resurrection?' Or, 'Shouldn't we say something about sin and the need for salvation from God's wrath against it?'"

"There's lots of "fog" around this idea of the gospel."- Gilbert

Sooo.... after reading and thinking, this is is my conclusion. The Gospel in one word: JESUS! And the Gospel in another word: CROSS! Oh, and one more word: Resurrection!!! VICTORY! (that was 2)

Sometimes I think we get bogged down with so many aspects of the gospel- things we feel are important to "throw in" as we're sharing with others what God has done for them. We too often forget to simply go back to the cross and focus on Christ, who He is, and what He did for us. As we do that, it drives us to our need for a savior because we realize how incapable we are. It humbles us. It brings us to a realization that WE NEED GOD. We NEED Him! And at the foot of the cross we don't have to be convinced we are sinners. We know.

All the more reason for us to discuss the gospel regularly as believers. The gospel's not just for the unbelieving world, but it's for EVERY ONE. Daily to be reminded of what Christ has done for us is, I believe, critical for a healthy relationship with God. It keeps us in a place realizing that we can't do it on our own. We're giong to fail. ...

"But 1 God, being rich in mercy, sbecause of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, umade us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this isbnot your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. "



Now THAT is something to be thankful for!