When I think of Gospel there are a number of things that come to mind that capture the meaning of the Gospel. The first is the Good News of the promises of God, through the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sent to save us from sin, death and evil. We have the hope in the words of promise through God’s Word and sacrament. I am informed by Paul in these Words of promise in Titus 3:5-8: Through the water of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which is poured out through Jesus Christ, so having been justified by his grace become heirs in the hope of eternal life.
I see the Gospel as God’s will and testament in which God reconciled us to Godself and we then die to our old sinful self and become new enclosed in God’s Word and command, given the gift of faith which trusts the Word of God. Trusting in the promise and God’s endless grace we are called by God to have hope in the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. God suffers through our weakest moments with us and gives us the strength to meet life’s challenges and through these challenges comes hope. And in turn sharing these gifts with others who are hurting gives them hope as well. The Gospel is God with us!
In addition to this which was my first definition of Gospel in March for the Gospel in Global Mission and Media Course at Luther Seminary. I have been enriched by the many blog posts of my group and classmates that have further informed my expression of the Gospel.
I would then add:
The Gospel is God for us! We believers are the body of Christ, a community of faith freed and empowered to love and serve our neighbor. This good news of the Gospel is the Word of God given for you and me to share with all creation.
April 4, 2013 by lpthatsme
Leave a comment