The other day, I walked through the entire house to get next to my wife because I had something I wanted to share with her. Except, by the time I arrived, I had forgotten what it is I wanted to say. I should add this isn’t the only time it’s happened.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest good news. But do we know what it is? If I were to ask you, ‘what is the Gospel?’, what would be your answer?
The best way to know what is the Gospel is to look at God’s Word. And because I’ve enjoyed learning from the book of Titus, let’s take a look at what we have in Titus chapter 1, verses 1 to three:
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior
Titus 1:1-3
The Good News starts with some bad news. That is, we can’t save ourselves. God had to choose us! Why? Because we are helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies (see Romans 5:6-10). We are not neutral, able to sit on the fence and make a wise choice. We need God to choose us for faith, because we cannot do this on our own.
If we are ungodly, how is that we can be godly? The truth is that godliness doesn’t come from within me. Or come from learning certain habits. Or following certain rules or guidelines. No, the truth is that this godliness comes from Jesus. I must believe that Jesus died in my place for the forgiveness of sins, and He lived in my place for my righteousness. That is the only means that I or anyone has for godliness.
How can anyone have the hope of eternal life? Because this is something God has promised, and then has sent Paul (among others) to proclaim. Paul is under orders, commanded by God to tell people of the hope of eternal life from God. This promise is real and true, for God cannot lie. This is no mirage. The only way for this eternal life to come to pass is because God is our Savior (and Jesus Christ in v. 4). I am saved not through my own efforts, but because by faith in Christ, I am forgiven. I now have a new life in me, a divine life, an eternal life, which is also an obedient and holy life. Not because I am doing all of this obedience and holiness, but because Christ is in me. His righteousness covers me.
This is the good news! This is what each one must hear, must believe, and having believed, to share with others!