The Gospel Message

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about reforming society or governments. His message summons all men to repent and join a radically new social order and unique political reality, the Kingdom of God. His message is contrary to the political ideologies of the present world order. We must respond positively to his invitation since the end of the age is approaching when the existing order will disappear from the planet.

Jesus sent his disciples to spread his teachings and proclaim his lordship to all nations. As he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” This life-changing message affects all men without exception, in one way or another.

[Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash]

Before his Ascension, he commanded his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” then they would become “his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth” - (Acts 1:7-9).

The last clause of the passage from Acts is the vision of the Second Psalm of the Anointed Son governing the nations of Earth. This reign began following the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus of Nazareth:

• “I will tell of the decree: Yahweh said to me: You are my son. This day, have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8).

As the Messiah of Israel and the heir of Abraham, Jesus inherited all things, including the nations. Therefore, he now sends his followers as heralds to announce salvation and his Sovereignty to the furthest regions of the planet. All peoples and every tribe and linguistic group must hear this “Good News.”

Paul wrote a lengthy letter to the churches of Rome, calling himself the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the “way” had become the chief envoy to the Gentiles of the Kingdom of God - (Romans 1:14-17).

Believers receive the “righteousness of God” through faith in Jesus. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” It is not ethnicity or social position that acquits anyone before Him.

Every man stands or falls before God on the same basis. Sin is the Great Leveler that places everyone in the same awful predicament, regardless of nationality.

Because “God is one” and the Creator of all men, He offers salvation to every man, woman, and child regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or social status, and on the same basis for all.

FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS

Because of Christ’s redemptive act, everyone who responds to the message with faith is put in right standing with God and acquitted of the well-deserved penalties of sin, and on the same basis for all, namely, FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS. There is no basis for boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Jesus died for all men when we were “yet enemies of God” - (Romans 3:22-30).

Paul appealed to his monotheistic faith to support the proposition that everyone stands or falls before God on the same basis: “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”

No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of nationality, economic status, or gender. As Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).

Through Jesus, God is creating a new humanity and a different political reality that are radically different from the nations and governments of this fallen world, a covenant community, singular, composed of men and women of every country redeemed by the blood of Jesus, the same Jesus who “gave his life as a ransom for many.”

Every human relationship is redefined and reoriented by our faith in and allegiance to our absolute Lord. The “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into the image of His Son. The traditional distinctions of race and social or economic status are wholly inappropriate in his new community. What we each have in common is the “faith of Jesus.” This salvation is one message intended for all men.

[Photo by Red Zeppelin on Unsplash]

The mission Jesus assigned to his Church is to proclaim this Gospel in every inhabited corner of the planet, and the completion of that mission is necessary before the return of Jesus “on the clouds of heaven.” National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation - (Matthew 24:14).

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish, and sin, disease, and death will be eliminated forever. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus in power when he resurrects the righteous dead, vanquishes “Death” itself, rewards his faithful followers, judges the wicked, and usher in the reign of God in all its fullness - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

In the interim, his people are called to proclaim his Good News “to the uttermost parts of the Earth.” Everyone who hears and responds with faith will receive the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and everlasting life in the “age to come.”

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RELATED POSTS:

• Salvation for the Nations - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)

• The Mission - (The task of the church between now and Christ’s return is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)

• The Sign of the End - (According to Jesus. the End will not come until this Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations on the Earth – Matthew 24:14)