What Is the Gospel?

[The_Flying_Dutchman]

Polycarp
One small ground rule: … but if you want to post why someone is wrong, don’t stop there but explain further what is right instead. In short, let’s not get bogged down in how someone’s conception is in error, but rather look at positive statements that show different perspectives on the question.

I’ve always understood that “gospel” meant good news, the good news being that we are no longer subject to the law, which literally condemned all of us to death but that we have been spared from being cast into the rubbish heap for being less than perfect vessels. Jesus Christ, the light, the message of love, is what we must believe in order to be restored by Him.

Although my God is a loving God he sure scares me at times. The God is responsible for all the pain and suffering that we witness in the news

• Romans 8:18-23*
  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will,** but because of Him who subjected it,** in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for
  our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

The way I see it, though it is beyond my comprehension,this is all neccessary to achieve the glorious end for all of us.

I’ve said my God is a loving God, but he is a just God and is into perfection. I’m still a very long way from perfection. I could worry, because my children, having been raised to know right from wrong, (but not having the "gospel " drummed into them) do not exhibit any particulr interest in religion. Have I failed my children? Are my children condemned because of me?

In the past, I’ve quoted a variety of scriptures attesting to the eventual salvation of every human being that ever lived on earth. Christ was a ransom for all wasn’t He? Well yes some people say, but you have an opportunity to reject it. Really? Were the wicked people of Noah’s time able to reject Christ. Of course not. Than how can you say that Christ was a ransom for all? Well because He was.

1 Timothy 4:9-11
It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labour and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.

I know many Christians/unbelievers have a problem with my beliefs. What about clearly bad and hateful people who haven’t repented prior to their death? But Christ overcame death I say. Peter even claims He preached to the people of Noah’s time following the crucifixion and prior to His resurection. There is every reason to believe that the door for the opportunity for repentance is not irrevocably closed when the earthly body expires.

What about being cast into the lake of fire forever. Well most people will accept the metaphor, maybe even the idea of cleansed by fire etc., but a very good case has been made that the literal Greek of the time spoke of "to the age of the ages "or very similar, not forever. Try Youngs literal translation on the Bible Gateway. That suggests that some people will opt for some trying times but for a limited period.

Eventually, both Isaiah 45:22-24 and John 12:31,32 attest to the fact that in the end, when He delivers the kingdom to the Father, He will draw all men unto Himself.

So Poly, to follow your analogy with regard to Jordon, I would suggest that you would never give up on him. I would suggest that you would never** irrevocably** shut the door in his face. I would suggest no matter how much he grieves you, you will do everything in your power to reconcile him to yourself.

I know Poly that you do no believe in eternal condemnation, but it would seem to me that you are allowing for some people to fall to the wayside. Am I correct?

Anyway, my apologies to God for the less than perfect presentation here, and for the less than perfect example that I’ve been on these boards. I’ve just read 1 Timothy 3:7.

[lekatt]

Very interesting post grienspace

If we are talking about the Gospel that Jesus told His disciples to go teach, then it does not include the salvation story. It would be the teachings of Jesus and only them. You couldn’t teach that Jesus died for our sins since He was still alive at that time.

A friend of mine asked a Christian about all the people who lived on the earth before Jesus came. “Would they all go to hell?”
The Christian replied that those who never heard the gospel because of the time they lived or because they lived in remote areas where they never had a chance to hear, would all go to heaven. My friend replied “well if that is true then the Christians should stop teaching the gospel now, then no one will hear it and everyone will go to heaven.” Not sure how Biblical that is, but will probably find out soon.

Leroy

[lynn73]

*Originally posted by lekatt *
My friend replied “well if that is true then the Christians should stop teaching the gospel now, then no one will hear it and everyone will go to heaven.” Not sure how Biblical that is, but will probably find out soon.

Leroy **

Jesus: Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47

No, it’s not biblical to stop preaching the gospel. Of course, you and I disagree as to what the gospel is. From your comment I assume you expected a reply from me so here it is. Don’t know why I don’t just shut up, but something or Someone keeps urging me to share.

[Triskadecamus]

The gospels are the testimony of four (or five) men who met the Lord. They are revered by many, because in all the years since the Lord walked upon the world, it has become hard to be sure of His real life here in our world. So, we read the gospels, and are assured that these ordinary men met Him.

We spread this joyous news: God loves you. He has sent His Son, to lead us from the world, and all its woe, into eternal bliss. We go out into the world and do as He did, and as He bade us to do. We greet each and every soul we meet as if that soul were our Lord, Himself. We know that He loves us, and He loves each of our brothers and sisters. We therefore must learn to love each other, as we love Him. That is so great a challenge to my spirit, that I find it enough to keep me occupied for my whole life.

But do not think that gospel is something limited to the books of those who lived in the days when Jesus walked in Jerusalem. Gospel means the truth, given by the testimony of the one who saw it. For you, the story of your walk with the Lord is your gospel. It is your witness to the truth. The Gospel According to You. It says you have willingly taken on the burden to live as you have seen the Lord live. And its strength is not in who reads it, but in how you live it. It contains the choices you make, and the service you give to your Lord.

Everything else is theology. I don’t disparage theology, but I have no great learning in such matters, nor any authority to settle disputes among theologians. And there is another thing about theology. I fear it, personally. I am a man of words, clever, and persuasive, and facile with the tools of philosophy. What a temptation it is to speak of what I know, and make my words convincing. And there lies my great peril.

Speaking your testimony is a most grave of responsibility, by which you present your soul to be judged by the Lord. Speaking it to others is more poignantly grave, for you have chosen to lead another soul, and in that, you assume a great and terrible burden, for leading one of the Lord’s beloved children away from Him is a terrible sin. God loves His children so much, and we must be sure to speak of Him to them with that same love. What comfort is it to me if I intended no harm, but gave despair to the heart of one of God’s beloved? I did not mean it? I chose to put myself in the place of the Shepherd, and cannot find the Lamb of God.

No, I cannot do this. I speak only as a follower of the Lord Jesus, and only of the one thing of which I am assured. He loves you.

That is the Gospel According to Me.

Tris

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~

[RTFirefly]

Even an outcast rebel who managed to achieve negative self esteem like me is not only loved, but known and cherished by the Creator of All Things, and He made the ultimate sacrifice to prove it.

Preach it, sister cj.

That is indeed the miracle, the Good News. Who am I, that He who is the Creator of all that is, should not only take notice of me, but hold me in his heart and love me completely, in all my brokenness and fallibility. That His very presence somehow glues me back together and makes right that which is within me, even when my world is a mess. His love is indeed salvation and redemption; all we have to do, as the verse from Revelation says, is let Him in.

Occasionally I even remember to do so.

[lekatt]

Triskadecamus and RTFirefly

Thanks for your posts, they say it all. I believe that is what Jesus was teaching in the parable of the Prodical Son. The Prodical Son did most everything wrong, but was accepted back with open arms.

There is evidence of this in the NDE. No matter who the person or what he/she has done or hasn’t done, when they move into the light there is nothing but love, acceptance, and caring from the Father.

[kniz]

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Polycarp for starting this thread. There are several very moving witnesses so far and many more hopefully will follow. I especially was moved by the post of CJ (which doesn’t relate to how much I agree with her).
grienspace came closest to expressing my feelings:

Eventually, both Isaiah 45:22-24 and John 12:31,32 attest to the fact that in the end, when He delivers the kingdom to the Father, He will draw all men unto Himself.

Leslie Weatherhead points out in the parable of the “Lost Sheep”: Jesus didn’t say that the shepard was happy that he had brought most of the sheep home or even “all but one”. Instead he went back to find and save the last sheep. His job was not done until ALL were saved.

originally posted by Guinastasia
The Gospel, to me, means doing what Christ said-love your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

It is my belief that if you strive to follow this then you have accepted Jesus and Jesus can worry about the sheep that are still lost. This does not mean that you can stop because you have found the answer. Those that think they can stop searching for their personal “truth” may be among those that are lost.

[Triskadecamus]

Let us not confuse each other or ourselves about paths. There are billions of people, in billions of places, and each travels upon his own path. If there were only one path to righteousness, only one person would be on it. However, it is not within the power of our minds to know where all paths lead, and we must accept that the paths too are part of God’s plan. I shall travel this path I am on, and search for the Lord, my Savior, and make my journey according to the love He has shown me. I have faith that He shall meet me upon this very path, not because I have chosen the path of righteousness, but rather that He will come, through despair, destruction, and evil, and should need require, through all the hosts and leagues of Hell, because I am on this path. He comes because He is God, the Savior. This does not reflect my merit, but rather it is an aspect of His love.

Should I choose to do good works, it will not be to gain the favor of the Lord, but because His heart has shown me that good works are good, and I should strive to do good, because even on earth, it is better than evil. And when I do evil, it is not because He has failed, but because I have failed. He remains upon my path, and waits for me still. I weep now, to think of it, but in that day, I will weep no longer, and we shall sing.

Tris

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~ Lao-Tzu ~

[FriendRob]

Freyr and others who are interested, in order not to hijack this thread I started another one to answer your question.