The True Gospel: Salvation by Grace Through Christ Alone

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you…” —1 Corinthians 15:1

What exactly is the gospel? It’s a question that cuts to the heart of Christianity—and one every person must eventually answer.

The Gospel: Good News Grounded in Truth

The word gospel means “good news.” But not just any good news—the gospel is the announcement of what God has done to save sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul defines the gospel clearly in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… was buried… [and] was raised on the third day.”

At the heart of the gospel are five unchanging truths:

• God is holy and created humanity to glorify and enjoy Him (Genesis 1–2).
• Man is sinful, having rebelled against God, which leads to spiritual death and separation from Him (Romans 3:23).
• Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died as our substitute, and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:25).
• Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• We are called to repent and believe in Christ alone for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38).

Why the Gospel Is Necessary

Every person is a sinner and stands guilty before a holy God (Romans 3:10–12). Sin is not just a moral failure—it is rebellion against the Creator. No amount of religious activity or personal effort can reconcile us to God.

But the good news is this: Jesus Christ did what we could not. He lived perfectly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

What Happens When You Believe the Gospel?

When someone repents and trusts in Jesus, they experience a complete spiritual transformation:

• Forgiven of all sin (Colossians 2:13–14)
• Reconciled to God (Romans 5:1)
• Made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14)
• Given eternal life (John 3:16)

Beware of Common Distortions

In today’s world, many distort the gospel. Here are some common false versions that must be rejected:

• Prosperity gospel – promises health and wealth rather than forgiveness and new life.
• Progressive gospel – removes sin and judgment in favor of spiritual platitudes.
• Works-based gospel – adds human effort to God’s grace, denying the sufficiency of Christ.
• Therapeutic gospel – treats salvation as emotional healing rather than redemption from sin.

Each of these shifts the focus from Christ’s finished work to man-centered messages—and ultimately robs the gospel of its power.

How Christians Must Respond

Scripture is clear: we must not compromise on the gospel. Paul warns in Galatians 1:6–9 that anyone preaching a different gospel is “accursed.”

Here’s how Christians are called to respond:

• Know the true gospel deeply
• Guard against false teaching and compromise
• Proclaim the gospel boldly and lovingly
• Test everything against Scripture (Acts 17:11)

Final Thoughts

There is no greater message than the gospel. It is not just the beginning of the Christian life—it is the foundation of everything we believe, live, and proclaim. As Paul said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

Have you believed this gospel? Are you living in its truth? Are you sharing it with others?

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