Because of the Gospel

Between the celebration of Christmas and the anticipation of a new year, we find ourselves at a unique intersection. The calendar turns, resolutions form in our minds, and we dream of becoming new versions of ourselves. Yet amid all this forward momentum, there's profound value in pausing to consider the most fundamental truth of the Christian faith: the gospel itself.

Why Focus on the Gospel Again?
It's easy to assume we've moved beyond the basics. After all, we use gospel language constantly. We talk about gospel-centered living, gospel values, and gospel community. We're familiar with the stories of Jesus' life and can recite key doctrines. So why return to something so elementary?

The truth is, gospel vocabulary doesn't guarantee gospel fluency. We can use a word repeatedly without fully grasping its depth. Like singing "Here I raise mine Ebenezer" without pausing to consider what an Ebenezer actually is, we can speak of the gospel without truly comprehending its magnitude.

More concerning, gospel familiarity can breed complacency. When was the last time you were genuinely moved—emotionally stirred to your core—by God's grace toward you in Christ? When did you last approach God in prayer with both the humility of someone who deserves condemnation and the boldness of someone who has been granted full access to the throne? When did the fears and anxieties of daily life fade as you remembered the certainty of God's promises?

If we're honest, we can become so comfortable with the gospel that we lose our sense of wonder at it.

Finally, we must remember that gospel fundamentals are basic needs, not advanced concepts we graduate beyond. Just as our bodies constantly need food, water, and air, our souls perpetually need the nourishment of the gospel. We never outgrow our need for these basics.

What Is the Gospel?
The word "gospel" comes from the Greek euangelion, which simply means "good news." In the ancient world, this term carried significant weight. It was used for messages of good tidings, announcements of military victory, or royal proclamations—news meant to be received with celebration, not mourning.

When Caesar Augustus was born in 9 BC, the announcement read: "The birth date of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good news for the world that came by reason of him." For Romans, such gospel messages were retrospective, calling people to remember and celebrate significant historical events.

But for those familiar with the Hebrew prophets, the concept of gospel also looked forward. It was a word of hope about a better future coming. Isaiah and other prophets spoke of good news that was yet to arrive, inviting people to celebrate in advance because of the certainty of God's promises.

The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses both perspectives. It calls us to look back at real historical events—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—while simultaneously preparing us to look forward to what He will complete when He returns.

Let's break down what makes this message truly good news:

• The gospel is a message of salvation for all who repent and believe. The name Jesus itself means "God saves." This isn't abstract theology; it's personal rescue. Jesus' first recorded words in Mark's gospel are direct: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." To repent means to change your mind so completely that it changes how you live—turning from lies to embrace truth.
• The gospel is a proclamation that God is fulfilling His promises. The title "Christ" (or Messiah) means "anointed one." For generations, God's people waited for the promised deliverer. That promise has been kept. The Christ has come.
• The gospel is the announcement of God's victory over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus is called the Son of God, and by His power and authority, He engages in cosmic battle on every page of the gospel accounts. He heals the sick, casts out demons, confronts Satan, and ultimately conquers death itself through His resurrection.

Bringing these elements together, we can define the gospel this way: The good news is that just as God promised, Jesus has come to defeat sin, Satan, and death so that sinners who repent and believe can be saved.

Is the Gospel Worth This Attention?
Here's the real question we must answer personally: Is the gospel truly worth this level of focus and attention?

God thought it was worth sending His Son. Jesus thought it was worth humbling Himself, taking on human form, and dying on a cross. Early church leaders like Mark thought it was worth the painstaking effort of preserving these accounts in writing—no small task in an era without computers or printing presses—so that persecuted believers could hold onto hope.

But do we think it's worth it?

Is the gospel valuable enough to deserve your full faith and hope—not just a diversified portfolio where you hedge your bets with a little gospel mixed with worldly wisdom and self-reliance?

Is it sufficient for you, or do you need the gospel plus something else to feel secure?
Is it so valuable that you'd surrender your entire life now to gain all that it promises then?
These aren't theoretical questions. They demand honest answers that show up in how we actually live—how we spend our time, use our resources, navigate relationships, and respond to difficulty.

Living Gospel-Centered Lives
For those who are struggling, suffering, or facing persecution of any kind, the gospel offers the same hope it provided to first-century believers. Your King reigns, but His throne was established through the path of the cross. Victory comes not despite suffering but often through it.

For those who haven't yet embraced this message, the invitation stands: The kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus has come. This is news worth hearing, a message worth believing, and a Savior worth following.

As we step into a new year with all its possibilities and challenges, may we return to the foundation. May we find ourselves not just using gospel vocabulary but experiencing gospel transformation. May we be people who are genuinely moved by grace, humbled by mercy, and compelled by love to live boldly for Jesus' fame.

The gospel isn't just where we begin; it's where we return again and again, finding it sufficient for every season, every struggle, and every celebration of life.