But the word gospel means good news! I once read a commentary mentioning that out of all the Greek writings from the time of the Bible, the Greek word translated “gospel” was only used twice outside of the Bible.

The Gospel: Nearly-Too-Good-to-Be-True News

And the reason is because the word gospel doesn’t just mean good news; it actually means nearly-too-good-to-be-true news. It was such a superlative and sounded so much like hyperbole that people didn’t use that word very often. Why? Because in this fallen world, there’s very little that’s nearly too good to be true.

But when it came to Jesus, they started using the word gospel all of the time because it describes exactly what Jesus did. He came to earth, put on flesh, lived for thirty-three years, and who was tempted in every way that we are (Heb. 4:15). But He did it as a sinless person (2 Cor. 5:21), and then he offered Himself to God as a sacrifice for us so that we could be forgiven and washed clean. Man, that is good news!

Debunking Common Beliefs

A lot of people think that just believing Jesus is the Son of God is sufficient. But I’m going to share some scriptures with you that may shock you.

Did you know that you can believe that God exists, and even believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on a cross, and still not be born again? It requires more than just an acknowledgment of these truths.

Yes, there’s a heaven and, yes, there’s a hell. And because of our sins, every one of us deserves to go to hell. But the Gospel is good news. In fact, it’s such good news that it’s nearly too good to be true.

The Essence of Salvation: Grace and Faith

Here’s the true Gospel: God Himself became a man and lived for thirty-three years on this earth. He suffered temptation in all of the things that we are subject to, but He did it as a sinless person. Then he offered Himself as a sinless, perfect sacrifice for the sin of all humanity. And when that happened, all of God’s judgment—not some of it—against mankind’s sins came upon Him. Salvation comes when you believe that Jesus took your sins, and you then receive His forgiveness by grace through faith.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9

The Danger of Nullifying Grace

Romans 5:2 says that “we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.” So, grace is what God did for us through Jesus, but it doesn’t just automatically work on our behalf.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:21

It’s terrible to realize that you can actually make the grace of God vain in your life. Paul said that the grace bestowed upon him was not in vain.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10

Defining the True Gospel

James 2:19–20 says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

You see, it takes more than just believing that God exists. The devils do that, and yet they aren’t saved. There has to be action and commitment on your part. In John 8:31, Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”

Grace and Faith: The Dynamic Duo of Salvation

When I was eight years old, I attended Vacation Bible School at our Baptist church, which was packed with about 600 kids. Usually my family had our designated spot in the front pew, but during VBS, I found myself seated in the very back row with all the other kids. So, this man stood up and said he’d give a dollar bill to the first kid who would come up and take it. For an eight-year-old, a dollar was a lot of money. Instantly, a crowd of eager kids surrounded him.

Despite the clamor, the man kept repeating his offer, saying that the first one to take the dollar would get it. It took my lightning fast mind a moment to realize what he was saying. So, I darted from the back, pushed through the other kids, and reached up to grab the bill from his hand. He then explained that many desired the dollar, but only the one who acted received it. He used this to illustrate that God has freely provided salvation—but you must take it, not just acknowledge it.

Beyond Mere Acknowledgment

Similarly, a lot of people may identify as being a Christian, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve taken advantage of God’s offer. Scripture emphasizes not only believing but also continuing in God’s Word and becoming disciples who observe His teachings. But somewhere down the line, Christians got to thinking that the only thing that matters is just getting people born again so that when they die, they’ll go to heaven.

Living Out the Gospel: Manifesting Inner Change

It’s not enough for someone to claim they’re a Christian. Their actions should reflect a genuine commitment to the Lord. If you are a disciple, you can see it in your life and you’ll be manifesting the inner change on the outside. There will be freedom in your life from depression, sorrow, bitterness, unforgiveness, sickness, poverty, and so on. It’s not easy to tell if a person is a convert or not. And the Lord didn’t tell us to go make converts. He told us to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). So, it’s easy to tell if a person is a disciple.

True Christianity is God revealing Himself to us. It’s not a religion and it’s not manmade. Buddhism and Islam and all of these religions out there are people’s attempts to understand God. But true Christianity is God revealing Himself to us through His Son.

Differentiating True Christianity from Religious Rituals

One of the things that really sets true Christianity apart from every belief system in the world is that we’re the only one with a Savior.

Now, stop and think about that. You can go into Confucianism, you can go into Buddhism or Islam, and you can go into any belief system of the world, and you’ll find that they believe that there is a God. But they believe that you also have to earn your way to God. You’ve got to somehow or another practice jihad, self-denial, and on and on. But basically, you’ve got to do something to make yourself worthy and earn your place.

So, that’s why people become monks, wear saffron robes, shave their heads, beg, and do all of these things just to be worthy and to earn relationship with God.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Works-Based Salvation

Now, there is a false Christianity that basically teaches the same thing—that you’ve got to be holy, go to church, pay your tithes, and on and on. And there are multitudes of people who identify as Christians under that mindset.

But if they were to stand before God, and God were to ask them what makes them worthy, they’d point to all the things they’ve done: they went to church, they were baptized as an infant, they performed sacraments, and so forth. Ultimately, they would point to themselves.

There are a lot of religious professing Christians who are trusting in their own goodness as the means of salvation, and do you know what? It’s no different from Muslims, Buddhists, or any other false religion.

The Savior’s Sacrifice: Central to the Christian Faith

If a true Christian were asked what makes them worthy to enter into heaven, they would say, “I’m not worthy based on anything I’ve done. My total faith is in Jesus. He is my Savior. Jesus bore my sin. He became sin for me.”

Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (brackets and emphasis added).

Jesus became sin for us.

Genuine Conversion: A Heart Transformed by Grace

Jesus is the Savior, and all of God’s punishment and wrath against your sin and mine came upon Jesus. And a true Christian is a person who has put all their faith in what Jesus did for them, not what they do for Jesus.

I hope you’re getting this. I tell you, it’s absolutely essential that you understand what it means to truly be a Christian. God’s grace has provided for every single person’s salvation, but you’ve got to access that grace by faith (Rom. 5:2). Grace is what God does, and faith is your positive response to God’s grace. That’s how you reach out and take it. By faith!