The Gospel For Christians
The gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians please do not stop reading, this is meant for you! [If you do not know what the gospel is and do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please read (this) first]. As Christians when we hear or read about the gospel we often “check out” mentally. I know I did for many years. Thinking “oh this part isn’t for me, it’s for those who haven’t received Christ yet”. It was not until later in my Christian life, after studying the Word of God that I learned how wrong I was in thinking that. The gospel is not only how we are saved, but it is also how we are sanctified ( Romans 16:25-27, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18). Justification is a one-time act; sanctification is a continual process. Justification releases us from the penalty of sin; sanctification releases us from the power of sin.
The Gospel is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. What He has done and who He is. It is not about us; it is what Christ did for us. (2 Corinthians 5:18–21). It is about remedying our relationship to a Holy God ( Romans 8:29–30 ). What I want to show today is how the Gospel works in our sanctification.
What the gospel tells a Christian about: Our old self
- We learn our old self died ( Colossians 3:2-4).
- We learn to stop trying to resurrect our old self ( Romans 6:1-6).
- We learn of our new self, that is in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- We learn that our lives are no longer ours; you were bought with a price ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- We learn that we no longer live for us, but Christ who lives in us ( Galatians 2:20).
- The gospel tells us that it wants us as a living sacrifice by dying to self daily, to be a disciple of Christ ( Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 16:25-26, Luke 14:27).
- The gospel helps us not think too much of ourselves or too little of ourselves, it just makes us think of ourselves less. Surrendering our life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is this: transfer the ownership of all that you are and all that you have; to all that He is. Our life, time, possessions, future are no longer ours but are now His. That is what saving faith is. It is coming to the end of ourselves. And completely and entirely trusting Christ.
What the gospel tells a Christian about: Our sin
- We learn that our flesh still wages war against the law of God in our mind ( Romans 7:21-25).
- We learn that He faithfully forgives and cleanses us of our sins when we confess them to Him ( 1 John 1:9).
- We learn that we are dead to the power of sin and alive in Christ ( Romans 6:11-14).
- We learn we are no longer a slave to sin and are now a slave to righteousness ( Romans 6:17–18).
- As a Christian, the gospel drives us to our knees for repentance when we acknowledge what the price was for our sins ( Galatians 3:13-14).
- At the cross the power of sin was broken and in becoming Christians, we are set free from sin’s mastery over us. When a Christian sins it is no longer out of our old nature, but because we willfully submitted ourselves to sin’s yoke.
What the gospel tells a Christian about: Our burdens
- We learn that we can rest in the person and work of Jesus Christ ( Mathew 11:28-30).
- We learn the Christian life is difficult, but we can have peace in Christ by what He accomplished ( John 16:33).
- We learn that God will sustain us ( 1 Corinthians 1:7-9).
- We learn that our fears have been defeated by Christ ( Romans 8:12-17).
- We learn that our debt for our sins has been canceled ( Colossians 2:13-14).
- The gospel takes burdens off, it does not add them to our life. God is sovereign, we can give any burden over and trust Him with whatever the outcome is. His yoke and burden truly are light.
What the gospel tells a Christian about: Our identity
- We learn we are a child of God ( John 1:12-13).
- We learn we are individuals in the body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:27).
- We learn we are chosen and are God’s people ( 1 Peter 2:9-10).
- We learn we are fellow heirs with Christ ( Romans 8:16-17).
- We learn we are His workmanship ( Ephesians 2:8-10).
- I am who I am because the great I AM tells me who I am. If you do not know who you are it is because you do not know whose you are. Unlike all other worldviews where you “achieve” your identity. When you become a Christian, you receive your Identity. It is received as a gift from God.
What the gospel tells a Christian about: Our obedience
- We learn that that joy of the Lord comes from obedience ( John 15:9–11).
- We learn that our obedience to the truth helps us live holy lives ( 1 Peter 1:22-25).
- We learn we show our love of Christ by obeying Him ( John 14:21-24).
- We learn that we can have an assurance that we truly know God by our obedience ( 1 John 2:3-6).
- We learn our obedience gives glory to God ( Matthew 5:14-16).
- We learn we show that we are His disciples when we fulfill the law of Christ ( John 13:34-35).
- The cross shows us and enables us to live in obedience and to desire a life of obedience. Obedience to God’s commands will make us light and salt in a dark and tasteless world.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This is a gospel verse that draws us to salvation, it explains our salvation and it gives assurance of our salvation. It has become a cornerstone verse of my Christian walk in restoring me to God by seeking immediate repentance and running back to Him when I sin, rather than run away. As people saved by grace, we have been freed, not to do whatever we want, but to do what God wants. Not only is the sinner saved by grace, but the saved sinner also lives by grace. Grace is the way to life and the way of life.
