“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst” (Romans 8:15).
This is one of the most succinct and precise description of the gospel.
What is the gospel? The gospel is this: that we are sinners deserving God’s wrath and judgment. But God loves sinners, and sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners.
The gospel is gospel – good news – because the starting point is that we are sinners who are dead in our sins. But God died for us because he loves sinners like us. Jesus came to die for sinners, not to celebrate their sin, but to rescue sinners from their sin.
This gospel is offensive to a world that has been told that they are perfect, just the way they are.
This gospel is offensive to a world that has been told that loving themselves is a virtue.
This gospel is offensive to a world that has been told that their hearts are always right.
This gospel is offensive to a world that has been told that there is nothing more important than them being happy.
If the starting point is that we are all good, and the job of the church is to help people discover the good that is already in them, why did Jesus die on the cross? Why did Jesus descend into hell? Why did Jesus rise again?
Jesus came to save sinners. That’s the good news. That’s the starting point. That’s the gospel.
Praxis: Faith in Action 