OCT 29

Mark 16:15

Memorise Acts 4:12

“…for there is none other name… whereby we must be saved”

WHAT DOES THE WORD GOSPEL MEAN?

“Gospel” simply means “good news”. From beginning to end, the Bible reveals to us God’s salvation plan for a race of fallen people. That is the good news that we have in God’s Word!

Not everyone understands their need for salvation. They do not see how the message of the Bible is good news. This is because they do not realize their present state of condemnation as sinners and that they cannot do anything by themselves to be saved. Because of these two reasons, they do not see the need for and therefore do not actively seek out the way to salvation.

However, the Bible says in no uncertain terms that there is only one way to be saved, which is through Christ and Christ alone (John 14:6). This in itself may not sound like the wonderful news that it actually is, if the sinner concerned does not fully understand what it means to be condemned. Some believe that they simply become non-existent after death (annihilation). Some believe that they still have a second chance to be saved when they find themselves in a state of spiritual limbo (purgatory). Others believe in reincarnation in an endless cycle of life and death while the rest simply do not care to seek the truth to this puzzle. They would probably be thinking “so what if I die today?”

The Bible describes hell as a place where there is eternal pain and suffering of the worst kind (Matthew 8:12, Mark 9:48). This is where people who die in their sin without knowing Christ (the condemned) will find themselves after death.

Application –Just when it sounds like the good news could not get any better, it does! To be saved is not just to be spared from an eternity in hell but also to have eternal life and fellowship with Jesus and the saints forever in heaven. The Gospel is wonderful news indeed. We have good reason to live joyfully every day because of it and to share it with those who still do not know Christ as commanded by Jesus (Mark 16:15).

Thought: Christ did not come to condemn the world for it is already in a state of condemnation. Rather, He came to save!
Prayer: Thank You Lord, for saving my soul and making me whole through Christ.