If you were asked, “What is the gospel?” where would you start? Jesus? Your personal testimony of faith? John 3:16? Christian, where does the gospel begin?
Oftentimes Christians express the gospel by first talking about their experience or the circumstances leading to their accepting Christ. Indeed, one’s decision to repent and receive faith in Christ is something everyone must do to be “saved.” As important as that is, in actuality the gospel begins with God. As Christians, a complete understanding of the Gospel necessitates a right understanding of who God is, of God’s attributes, character and actions. Why?
1. Without God, the Gospel is unnecessary.
Don’t miss the obvious: If there is no God, the whole discussion and purpose of the gospel is a moot point. Without God there is no righteous standards, no sin, no One to hold anyone to account. Further, without God, should the need ever have arisen, there would be no one to save humanity, either (see, Ephesians 2:4-9; Hebrews 12:1-3).
2. Without God, the Gospel is impossible.
The gospel begins with God because humans are incapable of saving themselves. Ephesians 2:1-3 makes this abundantly clear (as does Isaiah 64:6; Romans 1). Even in sinless perfection, the first man and woman sinned against God (Genesis 3). Clearly, even at our best, we still would sin against God– God must do something on our behalf!
The Bible is God’s self-revelation of who He is and what He does (and has done). Within its pages we find that gospel that while we were still sinners, God provided for our salvation (Romans 5:8). In other words, the Gospel begins with God. Now that is good news!
