Εὐαγγέλιον is the message that Jesus is Messiah. He suffered death on the cross to obtain eternal salvation for people. He arose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God in heaven. He will return from heaven in majesty to bring those who believe in Him into the kingdom of God. The Gospel is the glad tidings of salvation through Christ. It is the grace of God revealed and promised to believers in Jesus Christ.
The word “evangelist” comes from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are also known as four evangelists. The Greek word for angel is contained in the word εὐαγγέλιον. The Lord Jesus said of Himself, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach Good News (from εὐαγγέλιον) to the poor.” [1]
If the Gospel is such good news, why are not more Christians sharing it?
One of the challenges for us believers is that we are up against spiritual powers of darkness in heavenly places. “The god of this age has blinded those who do not believe, lest the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [2]
We also have a sinful nature. David wrote, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” [3] Until our sins are forgiven by Christ and He transforms our nature, we love to sin. The devil holds us captive to sin.
Martin Luther worked hard to free his conscience from the guilt of sin. He did not want to sin but kept on sinning. He felt that he was under God’s wrath. He had no peace. He hated God for demanding perfection that he could not produce.
God revealed to Luther via the Scriptures that the Gospel is not about us. It is about Christ. The Gospel is about faith. It is about faith in Christ. Faith is not a good work. Faith receives Christ and all that He has done for us. All who receive Christ receive the remission of their sin. God counts the person who believes in Christ as righteous. He justifies the person who believes in Jesus.
When “I” believe in Jesus, it was just-if-I’d never sinned. The sin of the believer in Christ is placed under His blood. He paid the penalty for it. Jesus Christ the Lamb of God took our sin away. Now, we are holy and righteous in His sight.
Some wonder, “If we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, why should we do good works? The answer is that God prepared good works for us to do before the foundation of the earth. [4] The Holy Spirit who comes to dwell in us will not let us be content to do nothing after we have received such wonderful grace from God. The Holy Spirit inspires, empowers, and leads us to do good for God and neighbor.
What kind of tree does an apple seed produce? An apple seed! In the same way an apple seed produces an apple tree, Christians produce Christian fruit when Christ is in our lives. But what does the seed go through before it produces? The seed is buried. It dies. There is a moment in time when God transforms that seed from a dead seed to a living plant. It grows into a seedling and after that into a large apple tree. Finally, it produces hundreds of apples per year, year after year. What a miracle! Who gets the glory for this? God does!
“Heavenly Father, I place the seed of my life into Your hand and ask You to please transform me into a Christ fruit-producing plant for You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 4:18
[2] 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12
[3] Psalm 51:5
[4] Ephesians 1:4
Amen, Mark! God is so faithful!
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