In today’s edition of “Monday Minutes,” I want to share another article by Elder Michael Ivey, Pastor of Unity Primitive Baptist Church in Moss Point, MS. This article gives us an interesting and enlightening perspective on what the gospel really is.
The word “gospel” literally means “good news.” The writer of Proverbs tells us that, “[a]s cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Well, the gospel of God’s grace is the best news, and comes from the farthest country: heaven itself! And Bro. Mike reminds us that it is truly the story of God as told by God Himself.
May the Lord bless you is my prayer!
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor
The Gospel: The Story of God As Told by God and the Promise of the Rest of the Story
by Elder Michael Ivey
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
The gospel is the powerful story of God as told by God (See John 5:39); and, which is preserved in His written word. Having God as its author, the gospel cannot be improved upon. (See 2 Timothy 3:17) Therefore it follows, that gospel preaching does not embellish nor revise God’s story. Neither does it seek to appeal to human emotions to affirm its effectiveness. (See Galatians 1:6) Rather, it accurately conveys the sense of God in His righteousness and holiness. It is empowered and thus made effective by His Spirit who employs the gospel to save God’s born again children in their daily living by conversion (which includes on-going conversion) to discipleship as obedient followers of Christ Jesus. (See Matthew 4:4)
Thus, the whole of the gospel is God’s story. In it He tells us about himself by revealing himself, including His self-revelation as the Christ. He first gave the gospel to prophets, then Apostles, who, by sacred trust recorded and share it with God’s children. (See 2 Peter 1:21) By Divine self-revelation God supplied many accounts which characterize His power, might and majesty; and, whereby is displayed the perfect good of His moral being by His righteousness and holiness. It also supplies us with knowledge of Christ Jesus, who, as our Savior, is the substantive object of the faith by which we hope for eternal life with much assurance and joyous conviction; and, which God, who cannot lie, has promised. (See Titus 1:1-3)
This powerful, purposeful, and life fulfilling story of God is preserved and will be preserved as the word of God. Likewise, it will be provided to believers as the preached word of the story of God as originally told by God until Jesus returns and brings us “the rest of the story.” (See 1 John 3:2)