The Reformed Life

If someone stopped you in the church parking lot after service and asked, “What exactly is the gospel?”—how would you answer?

Most Christians have heard the word their entire lives. It’s on bumper stickers, T-shirts, and church signs. But strangely, many believers struggle to define it. Ask five church members, and you might get five very different answers—some will talk about loving others, some about being saved, some about going to heaven, and others might simply shrug.

But the gospel is too important to be assumed, and far too glorious to be vague.

The Gospel, Clearly Stated

Here’s a working definition:

The gospel is the good news of how God reconciles sinners to Himself through the substitutionary life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—by the power of the Holy Spirit. This salvation is a gift of grace alone, received through faith alone, in Christ alone.

That’s not just doctrinally tight—it’s good news for everyday sinners like us. Let’s unpack it:

“Good News”

The word gospel literally means “good news.” But news implies something has happened—an announcement, not an instruction. The gospel isn’t advice. It’s not a set of steps to self-improvement or a spiritual performance ladder. It’s a declaration: God has acted to save sinners.

“God Reconciles Sinners to Himself”

The story of Scripture tells us that all humanity has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We weren’t just spiritually sick—we were spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Sin broke fellowship with God and brought judgment. But the gospel begins with God’s initiative. In love, He moved toward us—not because of us, but despite us.

“Through the Substitutionary Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ”

The word “substitutionary” is essential here. Jesus lived the life we should have lived—perfect obedience to the law. Then He died the death we deserved—bearing God’s wrath in our place (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His resurrection wasn’t just a comeback—it was a cosmic victory over sin and death. By rising, Jesus proved the debt was paid in full (Romans 4:25).

As J.I. Packer once wrote,

“The gospel tells us that our Creator has become our Redeemer.” 

“By the Power of the Holy Spirit”

Salvation is not something we awaken ourselves to—it’s a work of the Spirit. He opens blind eyes, convicts hearts, and regenerates dead souls. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63). Without the Spirit’s power, the gospel would fall on deaf ears. But with Him, dead hearts beat again.

“Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone”

These Reformation truths aren’t dusty slogans—they’re lifelines.

• Grace alone: You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.
• Faith alone: We’re not saved by faith plus works—faith is the empty hand that receives Christ.
• Christ alone: He’s not one of many ways. He’s the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

What the Gospel Is Not

Sometimes we clarify truth best by exposing counterfeits:

• Not moralism: The gospel is not “Be good and God will love you.” That’s law, not grace.
• Not prosperity: The gospel is not “Believe and life gets easier.” Ask Paul (2 Corinthians 11:24–28).
• Not spiritualism: It’s not vague “faith” in something. It’s faith in Someone—Christ crucified and risen.
• Not behavior modification: You can change your habits and still be lost. You need a new heart.

How Should We Respond?

Jesus didn’t just proclaim the gospel—He called for a response: “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

To repent is to turn from sin and self and run to Christ. To believe is to entrust your life to Him fully—not merely to agree with facts about Jesus, but to rest in Him alone for righteousness and life.

This is not a one-time event. It’s a daily posture of surrender. The gospel isn’t just the doorway to the Christian life—it’s the foundation, the frame, and the finish line.

Why This Changes Everything

The gospel reshapes:

• Your identity – You’re no longer defined by your past or performance, but by Christ.
• Your security – If Christ bore the wrath in full, nothing remains for you to fear.
• Your purpose – You now live as an ambassador of this message (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Don’t Assume the Gospel—Know It, Believe It, Share It

Let’s not let the word “gospel” become a buzzword in our churches. Let it be the blazing center. As Paul reminded the Corinthians:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

This is the message that saves, sanctifies, and sends. And it never stops being good news.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh Chambers

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