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; ..."
Romans 1:16.The Gospel places the fact of God and of Christ squarely before mankind. It shows the serious results of sin. It also shows God's righteous anger against sin and sinners, and it shows His infinite love and grace.
Be reminded of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:10)."
According to Acts 17: 30-31, God commands all men every where to repent. That means to quit living a sinful life through believing on and following Jesus Christ.
Some hesitate at the call of the Gospel, or refuse to obey, because it makes them see the need to forsake their sins. They may be afraid they can't, or they may be unwilling.
Think about the results of following Jesus.
1. We can know and prove that we are His, if we obey His Word.
"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;" (John 8:31).
Such proof can't fail. We are His, and He confesses us as His!
2. The person who obeys God's Word shall be blessed. James 1:25. That is an absolute promise.
3.If we add the virtues of Christian grace to our faith, WE SHALL NEVER FALL! 1 Peter 1:10. That is an absolute guarantee.
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7).
That is power."He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
(John 14:21). That is fellowship with Jesus and with God.4. The Gospel offers substance and guarantees salvation. It guarantees judgment for those who refuse to obey the Gospel. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is the proof that God is going to judge those who do not repent. Acts 17:31.
God's blessing can be gained by obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not enough to agree about the Gospel and then do nothing about following Jesus.
It is an error to select what we like about the Gospel, and reject what we don't agree with.
Unless we commit to following Jesus, WE GUARANTEE OURSELVES eternity in the lake of fire! Revelation 20:15.
So the Gospel of Christ is wonderful in its blessings for us. But its requirements are awesome! Literally, we determine our eternal destiny by how we respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God knows that we cannot be 'good enough' by our efforts. So He has given us Jesus to be our Savior, if we will receive Him.
The Gospel even tells us exactly HOW to be saved, and to KNOW that we are saved. "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." (Romans 10:9). Then John 8:31 applies, as noted.
God bless you.
I love you.
Pastor Poole