Our Gospel

"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake"  

(2 Corinthians 4:3-5).

“Gospel” means “the good and joyful message”. The gospel is indeed the joyful message of Christ. The word  “gospel” appears many times in the New Testament, especially in the Apostle Paul’s letters. In Romans 15:16, Paul calls it the “gospel of God” and then in verse 19, the “gospel of Christ.” In Galatians 1:11, Paul emphatically states: “But I have made known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.” This message is from God to us. God gave us this gospel with the specific intention of transforming our lives and giving us joy. 

We have often received happy messages from others. Amid the many sad times in our lives, an encouraging word has often brightened our days. The gospel is not just a passing encouragement. The message of the gospel is powerful, living, and eternal. Nothing can compare with its meaning and content. It is the message of salvation that was manifested through Jesus Christ. It is a message of grace, salvation, and divine happiness.

Reflecting on the worldwide dominance of sin and the total hopelessness of humanity, the message of salvation can only be a message of joy. The world was waiting for this joyful, saving message with longing. A new era began with this message of salvation in Christ. Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and called people to repentance and faith. Jesus testified: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Natural poverty is not the issue here, since the gospel is for the poor and the rich. Jesus is speaking about spiritual and hidden poverty that few people seem to see and recognize. 

He describes the poor as those who have a broken and guilt-ridden heart that needs healing. These people are blind, caught in the chains of sin and need to be set free. People lived in this spiritual poverty then and most still do today.

The message of this gospel broke through the anguish and spiritual poverty. Because of the gospel, the whole world has been offered every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. The gospel shows us the way to God and to the healing spring of grace. It directs us to the riches in God and the overwhelming joy of having peace in our hearts. On the basis of these many blessings, Paul placed great importance on the purity of the gospel and condemned any deviation from the truth. 

Every person is responsible for the position they take to the gospel. The gospel is the “word from the cross,” as Paul writes: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). What does the gospel mean to us? What does it mean to you personally? Is it foolishness, an empty, meaningless gospel? Or has this gospel really become the power of God for you?

How sad that this wonderful gospel is still veiled and hidden for so many people. Paul recognized the seriousness of being lost forever. Are you in this danger? May God speak to us and reveal the wonders of His gospel!

The gospel is the last message from God to us. May we take this message to heart since it is the power through which we can be saved! 

Friedrich Krebs