Jesus Christ and his apostles were preaching the gospel before his death on the cross. The present day gospel is that Jesus Christ has died in our place to save us. But, it was not the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. So, what is the true gospel?
Grace is a free gift from God. Gifts are not given to a disobedient stray, but to those who are liked. Eternal life is given as a reward. Rewards are not given to those who has done nothing, but to those who has achieved something. "Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven." God give reward according to what we do.
"Matt 4:23 Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom." Here, we see two important things. One: Jesus was preaching the gospel. The disciples preached the same gospel. But, the gospel of present time is much deviated from the original gospel that Jesus Christ preached. So, it is a concern that our leaders are preaching another gospel. Two: The gospel must be connected to the kingdom of God. If it is not, then it is a false gospel.
"Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." First verse says that we must give earnest attention to the gospel and we must not let it slip. The next two verses say that if we neglect the gospel, which is the salvation message by the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be surely punished appropriately. So, it must be taken with diligence.
Isaiah prophesied that the Holy Spirit has anointed Jesus Christ to preach the gospel. "Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel..." Jesus Christ has preached the true Gospel. "Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ... Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Jesus Christ told his disciples to preach his gospel even before his crucifixion. "Luke 9:6 ... they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere." If Jesus Christ and his disciples preached the gospel, then the message of his death and resurrection could not have been the gospel. We are so much used to the message of his death as the pivotal point of the gospel. For sure, his death and resurrection are important to us because that is the hope of our resurrection. However, we have to remember that Jesus Christ preached the gospel before his crucifixion. The author of the gospel was preaching the true gospel.
The Lord Jesus Christ came to his disciples after his resurrection and gave them future assignments. The main assignment was to preach the gospel. Mark and Matthew recorded the instructions. We have to know that it was not the dictation, but it was the recording of instructions. Mark recorded as: preach the gospel. "Mark 16:15 ... he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." And Matthew recorded the same instructions as: teach to observe what I have commanded. "Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." If we put them together we will see that to preach the gospel is to teach to observe the commandments of Jesus Christ. The reward to obey is the eternal life. So we can boldly say that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that people will inherit eternal life if they obey the commandments of Christ. When he was a man he gave a straight answer how to have eternal life. Here it is: "Matt 19:16... Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 ... he said unto him ... if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Even though the Lord Jesus Christ has given a straight answer, modern day evangelists twist the word of God.
Jesus Christ tells Christians: "Matt 5:20... I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Christians have to obey the commandments from the roots. That is, they have to nib sin in the bud. Example: They should not look at a woman with lust so that there will be no chance for adultery. So also they should not hate a person, so that there is no chance to kill, etc. "Matt 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Then, Jesus Christ tells them to kill the deed of the body of sin: "Matt 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
The commandments of the Lord appear to be very rude. But it is practical and Christians are given grace, power, and the Holy Spirit of God so that they are lead of the Spirit in the ways of God by destroying the ungodly function of the flesh to become the sons of God. "John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. 16… of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. Luke 11:13 ... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Rom 8:13 ... but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 17 ... if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;" Christians can obey the commandments of God by his power, grace, and the Holy Spirit if only they want to destroy the power of sinful deeds of their flesh. Then they become the sons of God and they will inherit the kingdom of God. If we desire to enjoy the sins of the flesh we can not obey God. But, we all will obey God if we believe what the Lord Jesus Christ has preached. But, most of us take it lightly because our preachers are more convincing than the Lord. Satan convinced Eve better than God and Eve was more convincing to Adam. It is happening even now.
The gospel has value even to eternal life. "Mark 8:35 ... whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." In the event that nobody preaches the true gospel that is of Jesus Christ, the angels will preach it. "Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
The main thrust of the gospel is that everybody will receive rewards for what they have done while living on earth, weather it is good or bad. Look at the final message, which is the grand finally, of the gospel by the Lord Jesus Christ: "Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Jesus Christ has fixed his signature at the end of his final statement, which is the gospel the good news.
If we love God with reverential fear, we will obey God - We will stop sinning.
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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