Living by the Gospel

How is your soul amidst life’s uncertainties? In challenging times, many people become unhinged emotionally or feel helpless against their circumstances. This can cause instability and a drift from the foundations of your life. In a world of bad news, everyone needs good news! Gospel means good news. Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that there are two unchangeable things, which are an anchor for our soul: The name of Jesus and His promise. We have access to these because of the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

The key to living by the gospel is to embrace it by faith, “by faith from first to last”. What is the gospel? It is faith in Jesus to forgive your sins and cleanse you from unrighteousness; to make you righteous and to justify you – just as if you’d never sinned.

To be made righteous is to be made right with God. Your righteousness is given to you through Christ and His gospel – not through your good works. Jesus said, “Whosoever believes in Me shall be saved” (John 11:25). Through His death and resurrection, whoever believes is made right with God and welcomed into His family.

The life transforming power of the gospel is to “those who believe”. To be freed from the law of sin and death doesn’t mean you no longer sin, but that you are released from sin’s control by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the gospel that has the power to set you free, transform your life and make you whole.

From the very first verse of Romans, Paul makes his passion and priority abundantly clear! Paul was proud to proclaim the extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him. There is only one true gospel: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

What is influencing you? Where are you putting your trust? Do you allow your opinions or the opinions of others to compromise the gospel in your life? As a child of God, you have royal lineage; you are part of a royal priesthood and all that the gospel promises is yours. Despite pressure to compromise this truth, when your life is gospel-centred, you can be confident that this truth will be revealed in your life and through your words. 

When you understand and embrace all that is within the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it will be well with your soul.