Most of us in the West (at least here in America) have heard of “the Gospel.” We know it relates to Christianity. We know (or at least think) it’s supposed to be “good news.” But what is it really about? A look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, along with that most-favorite of Bible verses, John 3:16, will give us some clues.

First, Mark tells us, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15, ESV). So, Jesus came “preaching the gospel.” What was it He was telling His listeners to do? Here are a few thoughts on the verse:

First, the gospel is “good news.” The Greek word translated “gospel” in this and other verses means “good tidings” or “good news.” It was in use before Jesus’ time, but it took on a very special meaning during His time.

Second, Jesus’ listeners were told to “repent and believe.” While often defined as “to change one’s ways,” the word repent actually means “to change one’s mind on a matter [and thus act accordingly].” This is why John the Baptizer could tell the Pharisees, “Bear fruit in keeping with your repentance” (Matt. 3:8). He was saying, “You say you have changed your mind about your righteousness? Show the change by your deeds.” Thus, the phrase “repent and believe” means “Whereas you believed one way, now change your mind and believe the correct way–believe in the gospel [with the corresponding change of attitude and action].”

So, Jesus came preaching “the good news.” What is this “good news”? The answers are found in the second verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” From this verse we find the following:

First, the world is in danger. We are told that the gospel was given “so that whoever believes in [Jesus] would not perish.” By “the world,” of course, we mean each and every human being. Why would people be in danger of perishing? Because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Simply put, we live in a fallen world, a sinful world, and we, both individually and corporately, have sinned against God. And His standard is perfection–100%, utter, no compromise perfection. Even those of us who try to “live right and be good” fall short. Think of it this way. You are taking an exam where the pass mark is 100%. When your exam is graded, you find that you scored a 99%. You had the highest score in the class! But, you failed. And you failed for one simple reason: your best was not good enough. And the penalty for failing that exam is not just a bad grade: it is what the Bible calls “death”: eternal separation from God in a place called Hell (which, by the way is real). BUT…. there is hope. That hope is found in the good news of the Gospel.

But God . . . Those are great words, found many times in the Bible, usually with life-changing significance. When all else seems hopeless, we often read, “but God.” God’s creation of humankind is in danger of forever being separated from Him. And we read that He “loved the world so much” (an alternate translation). Regardless of what you may have heard, read, seen, or been taught about God, He is love. And He loves you. He loves you enough that “He gave His only Son . . . ” He gave His Son, Jesus, to do what? So that you might have “eternal life” instead of perishing (spending eternity in Hell). No matter what you have done or where you have been, you still have the hope of a future with Him.

And how does one gain this eternal life? By “believing in Him.” Another verse in John says,”[T]hat that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). To believe “in His name” is to believe all that He says He is. It is, as John the Baptizer put it, “to repent” (i.e., to change your thinking about Him from unbelief to belief). Believing in Jesus means that you give Him all that you are and trust in Him alone rather than your own efforts to live life.

This series on the Gospel will answer some of the basic questions of what the Gospel is and is not. We will look at questions such as, “What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I know I’m saved? Can someone lose their salvation? Do I have to obey the Ten Commandments?” I hope you will continue with me me on the journey.