“Gospel” means “glad tidings”, “good news”, “God’s message”, etc. We know this, it is basic Christian doctrine. However, the word gospel is not used to proclaim the same message throughout the entire New Testament (or Old Testament for that matter). Certainly, TODAY, the gospel is clearly proclaimed in I Corinthians 15:1-4. That is the message for today. The gospel of Matthew 4:23 concerns a kingdom. Matthew 11 says that the poor have the gospel preached to them before Christ ever offered forgiveness based on his finished work of the cross. Paul calls something “my gospel” in Romans 16:25 and 2 Timothy 2:8. Revelation 14:6 pictures an angel proclaiming the “everlasting gospel”.

I don’t dispute the thrust of this devotional by Pink, as we exist in the age of grace. But, the term “gospel” does not always mean that “God has provided a Saviour for sinners.” It did not even mean that in Acts 8:25! The gospel is whatever God is dispensing out to the world at that time. Today, it is clearly the gospel of the grace of God. In the gospels themselves, the gospel was that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, so believe in Jesus as Christ. The gospel of Acts 2 and Acts 3 is that this Jesus whom the Jews crucified is actually Christ, and that God will send Him back to the earth in resurrection power if the Jews will once again hear the call to repent and be baptized. During the Tribulation, the gospel will proclaim to the world, not the free grace of God, but that Jesus Christ is coming back to rule the world and overthrow Antichrist, so endure to the end.

The gospel always involves grace and God’s promise to do something for the unworthy, so I don’t object to the sentiment of this post at all. I just find these distinctions important, and I find no evidence that anyone knew exactly what Jesus accomplished on the cross until the Lord revealed these doctrines unto Paul. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and a dispensation of the gospel had “been committed” to him (I Cor. 9:17). Amazing stuff!

God justifies us under the consideration of our unworthiness, our ungodliness, because of Christ, not under the consideration of any holiness in us. Paul, says “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

The regenerate person loves the law, not as a savior, but because it perfectly reflects the heart of the Savior.

Remember, the Law demands that we be “perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect”—that is sinless.

None of us can keep the Law. It is impossible for imperfect man to deliver a lifetime of perfect performance. Paul is not calling us to attempt the impossible.There is no hope for those who try to keep the law “Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” Romans 3:20

The law doesn’t generate sin, it merely reveals that we have a problem bigger than we can solve.” the law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen.” Romans 5:20

Jesus was the only one who could keep the law and He did so on our behalf. This was the reason He came: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17)

Like Jesus, Paul esteemed the law saying it was holy, righteous and good Romans7:12. But Paul never said we should try and live by it. No, the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (Gal 2:24).

Jesus lived under the law, preached the law and ultimately fulfilled all the requirements of the law on our behalf. “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4

How can imperfect man attain the perfect standard that God demands? He can’t. But Jesus can and has. He became for us wisdom from God – our righteousness, holiness and redemption. And by His perfect sacrifice this High Priest has made us “perfect forever” (Heb 10:14).

Don’t respond to God’s offer of salvation with Romans 4:4; respond with Romans 4:5.

4:4 – “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited according to grace, but according to debt.” Don’t nullify grace and turn justification into a debt.

4:5 – “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Trust the one who justifies the ungodly – and you will be saved.

“He that is down needs fear no fall, He that is low no pride;” – so, as you lie there, look up, – “And view the flowing Of the Savior’s precious blood, With divine assurance knowing He hath made your peace with God.”

And then say, – “My sins, my sins, my Savior, Their guilt I never knew” -

“till I knew what they cost thee, – till I knew thy great love to me, – till I knew my sins were all forgiven; but now they are forgiven, they torture me with a sweet grief whereof I fain would die.”

“Lord, let me weep for nought but sin, And after none but thee; And then I would – oh, that I might! A constant weeper be.”

This is joy, rest, patience, bliss, just to lie there, and weep, and wash with tears the feet that came upon that errand of love and mercy for us, and still look, and love, and long, and weep, and look, and love, and long, and weep again, and kiss again and again the blessed feet of him who hath redeemed us unto God by his blood. The Lord keep us there, dear friends.

Charles Spurgeon