What Is The Gospel?

The gospel is good news. Let me explain:

God made the world good (Genesis 1:31) and created mankind upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29). But we have all turned away and broken God’s laws (Isaiah 53:6). As a good and holy Judge, God requires perfect obedience (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10), and even Jesus said, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This means we must be perfectly righteous and holy to be right with God (1 Peter 1:15-16). But all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and continue to sin (1 John 1:8), and the penalty is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Without a miracle, none of us can stand before God.

The good news is that God had mercy. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived the sinless life we couldn’t and died on the cross to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead, defeating death, so that all who trust in him alone—not in their own goodness—will be raised to eternal life with him (Philippians 3:8–11). If we believe we’re good enough to get to heaven, or that our good deeds will outweigh our bad ones, we’re on the path to destruction. But if we turn and place our trust in Christ alone—believing that only He can save us through His perfect life, death, and resurrection—we will be saved. His payment for sin on the cross is both necessary and enough. That’s the best news imaginable! Our salvation is guaranteed, not because of our ability, but because of His.

God now calls all people everywhere to repent and believe this good news. It’s a costly gift that He freely offers to us. We are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8). And those who truly believe are never the same. Their lives are forever changed. If you’ve believed this message for the first time, please tell someone. Find a gospel-believing church and begin attending—not to earn anything, but as an act of grateful obedience and to serve others. No church is perfect, but God’s people need you there, just as you need them. We can’t do this life alone. Here is a church search and another one here that may be helpful. And if you have any questions or want to talk, I’d love to hear from you.

What do you mean by “adorn the Gospel?”