THE GOSPEL

As I hung out with a dear friend recently, she fervently talked about the Gospel (Good News about Jesus Christ) being a part of her every day. It is. Or it should be.

What is the Gospel?

The eternal God, Creator of everything including people, is holy and righteous. In the Bible, 1 Chronicles 17:20 and lots of other places says--“There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you." The problem is that we don't believe it, can never talk to Him, or really have any access to Him because of our sin problem, or our willful disobedience. As the Bible puts it--"for there is no one who does not sin." (2 Chronicles 6:36) I always go the wrong way, basically believing that I'm pretty good on my own.

But God, in His great mercy, sent His Son to Earth-- Jesus. He was born, grew up, taught, healed, did lots of miracles, showed what God is really like, and was beaten and crucified to pay for our sin problem. THIS IS THE GOSPEL!!! Jesus died, was raised, and lives so that I can be dead to sin and alive in Him. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”(Acts 16:31) Romans 10:9 says: "That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." I am saved!!! I am alive!!! I don't have to be envious, overcome by anger, controlled by my appetites...I don't have to fear death anymore. I know that He has promised me eternal life, that even starts now with amazing friendship with GOD! I talk to Him, He talks with me as I read the Bible, He gives me amazing relationships with other believers, He makes me new moment by moment. More like Jesus. The joy and peace truly surpasses all understanding.

Our deepest need is spiritual life, and that new life can only come by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus.

I guess this leads me to the question I wonder about everyone I meet:
DO YOU BELIEVE?

I would love to hear about it!

What God has been teaching me today:
Today I was reading in Luke 2 what a righteous, and devout man, Simeon, told Jesus' mom and dad when Jesus was 8 days old. He had been promised to see the Lord's Christ before he died, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised...My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles [non-Jews] and for glory to your people Israel." Wow. I just finished reading the Old Testament yesterday (started in January) and have seen God long for people to love Him whole-heartedly and it doesn't happen. Over and over again. Here God offers His salvation, a "light for revelation"--He is revealing Himself in the form of this baby. Amazing.

Then Simeon goes on to tell Mary, Jesus' mom: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." (Luke 2:34-35) Jesus has caused the falling and rising of many in Israel, and is definitely a sign that has been and continues to be spoken against. The next part convicted me the most: so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. He reveals the thoughts of my heart. It reminds me immediately of the prayer at the end of Psalm 19, verse 14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.