God - Jeremiah's Vow

What is the Gospel? (Pt. 1) – “The Glory of God”

This is part of the series What is the Gospel?

We have been looking at the Gospel and the reasons that we have for joy in and through it. I would like to take a closer look at what this Gospel is. We will journey together as we uncover the richness of the Gospel.

The entirety of the Gospel can be “book-ended” with the same thing – God Himself. To understand the Gospel, we must see that salvation and all that it promises is grounded in the person and work of God (Eph 2:8). The Bible opens with “In the beginning God…” and it ends with God’s return in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote that, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).

The idea of Glory is a description of God’s utter and unpolluted perfection. The Gospel begins with the impeccable beauty of God and it ends with the impregnable grace of God. When we begin to see who God is, we will have a better understanding of the problem that faces sinful men. The Gospel must begin with God. If it begins anywhere else we risk missing the message God delivered in Jesus. Next week we will examine what does it mean that God is Holy.

The Joy of the Gospel

The Gospel reminds us of the path that we are to walk.

We have been back a day from our ski trip and as I think about our time in North Carolina I keep going back to one theme that was shared with us – the gospel of Jesus Christ is a reason for joy.

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel is what God has prescribed as the doorway to new life in Jesus. The Gospel reminds us of the path that we are to walk. The Gospel is a message that points to a new relationship with, not only God, but with ourselves and those we encounter.

The Gospel has power, but it also provides purpose. The Gospel is a message of hope, but it sends us on a mission of Peace. The Gospel speaks to the joy of salvation from the jaws of death and hell. Yes, the Gospel is Good News, but it is so much more. I thank God for reminding me of the Joy of the Gospel.

True Humility

True humility does not come from my actions, but from my relationship with God.

I recently had a conversation with someone about the nature of humility. The word itself seems a bit intimidating. I would like to think that I am humble, but in even trying to say it I lose the very thing I am trying to achieve. Or do we?

I have come to realize that true humility, not the stuff that makes you feel belittled or worthless, but true humility does not come from my actions, is seen in my relationship with God. The greater my understanding and acceptance of who God the closer I am to what God wants.

When I seek to grow in humility I am confronted with the awesome truth that I am unworthy of being in a relationship with Him at all.

God is holy. His holiness makes having a relationship with him impossible. But when I can appreciate the distance God had to travel to bridge the gap between my sin and His glory I am on the road to humility.

Humility is not a line to be crossed or a prize to be won. Humility is so much more than that. It is the final acceptance that God has chosen to come to this earth and provide a way for me to enjoy Him. And it is then when that vertical relationship is what it ought to be, then I can act toward those around me in a way that is both pleasing to God and beneficial to others.

Last Updated on March 4, 2023.