The Gospel...By Which You Are Saved
The saving gospel needs no revisions, additions or alternations. The gospel, as it is, will save man as he is. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) Salvation can be a reality only when the saving gospel is proclaimed, accepted and obeyed.
The gospel by which you are saved is of Divine origin. The saving gospel did not and cannot come from men. "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) A gospel which is not the "certified" gospel cannot save. When God's message is perverted with human opinions it has been robbed of all saving power. (Galatians 1:6-9)
The gospel by which you are saved must be obeyed. Only those who obey the gospel will be saved. (1) The gospel must be preached, (2) The gospel must be received, (3) We must take a stand with the gospel, and (4) The gospel must be held fast. If this is done you are then saved by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) The gospel is the power to cut the heart (convict sinners) and to save. (Acts 2:36-41)
The gospel by which you are saved centers in the truth that "Christ died for our sins." Atonement by Jesus' blood is the heart of gospel preaching. "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:6) Jesus gave Himself for our sins. "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." (Galatians 1:4) Man's problem is sin and without the shedding of Christ's blood there is no remission or forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 10:19-22) Sinners are washed from their sins by His blood. (Revelation 1:5) Those who, in faith and baptism, obey Him are trusting Jesus' blood to save. (Hebrews 5:9)
Obeying from the heart the gospel of Christ by believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized identifies one with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-5, Romans 6:17-18.) The needed message in our day or in any day is the simple, powerful, saving gospel message. Obey the gospel today and enjoy new life in Christ.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA
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