The gospel is good news because it brings a person into the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the rope that pulls us from the threatening waves; he is the solid beach under our feet, the air in our lungs, the beat of our hearts, the warm sun on our skin, and the song in our ears, and the arms of our beloved.
What Is the Gospel?
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe but only everlasting joy. That’s the gospel.
The Greatest Good of the Gospel
The greatest good of the gospel is not forgiveness, justification, or eternal life — as good as these are. The highest, most whole, deepest, sweetest good of the gospel is God himself, enjoyed by his redeemed people. The gospel is the good news that God bought for us the everlasting enjoyment of God.
The best news in the world is that there is no conflict between our greatest possible happiness and God’s perfect holiness. Being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus magnifies him as the greatest treasure and brings us more eternal, infinite joy than any other delight ever could.
“You never, never, never outgrow your need for this gospel. You don’t begin the Christian life with this, leave it behind, and get stronger with something else. God strengthens us with the gospel to the day we die.” –John Piper
A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Justifying faith does not produce perfection in this age, but it always produces a new direction in this age. It dethrones sin, enthrones God, and makes war on sin in our hearts and bodies.
Author: John Piper