What is The Gospel, and what are its works?
The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the good news (Luke 2:10). It is the light and life of God, it is eternal life. So, is your life worthy of it? The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t change. It remains the same.
Text: Luke 6:39 – 49, Luke 2:10, Luke 1:67, Ephesians 4:17, Matthew 5:14, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 21:18, 2nd Corinthians 5:15, 1st Corinthians 6:9
When you believe the gospel, the first evidence of it is the change in the life you live. You step out as a sinner, and you come back as a child of God, under the influence of the life-transforming gospel of Christ. It suffices to say that this metamorphosis isn’t instantaneous, it is a gradual process. Removal of earrings doesn’t connote a thing, as the initial change is from inwards, not outwards. On affecting the internal milieu, it begins to manifest on the outside.
Your life may be worthy of the church, your family, or even the community where you live, however, is it worthy of the gospel?
At this point, you need to examine yourself. Why? Because if you claim to believe this gospel, and your life is still the same since you believed, then you might probably be on your way to hell. Because the gospel of Christ will definitely take something from you.
In broader terms, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will change your attitude, thinking, dressing, and association. Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:17 clearly explains the effect of the gospel on your association as a believer. You cannot claim to believe the gospel and have unbelievers as friends, or go to the same place as a smoker or drunkard. If you do this, you are still in denial of the gospel.
The gospel of Christ, when heard, penetrates the heart (first), the state of your heart (open or locked) goes on to determine its operation (transformation or not). The heart on being transformed goes on to bring about the outward transformation. It will make you shed (put away) your former way of life, and put on a new way of life, which is in Christ. Your former self will always come back to test you, but the gospel will form a wall of defense against your old nature. The gospel renews the mind, and renewal is necessary in order to overcome the old self (Ephesians 4:23).
The Mad man of Gadara had a strange spirit disturbing him, probably multiple demons, so strong that he could break chains with bare hands. But when the gospel (Christ) met him, it transformed Him and put him back to his right senses while he sat at the feet of Jesus.
God will not open the door to your heart for you, you need to open it yourself. Then He will come in to bring about the desired change (Rev 3:20).
Are you a Christian only when you are within the walls of the church? Do you eschew the virtues of a child of God? Apart from the fact that you don’t smoke or fornicate, what exactly are you known for in your community, or at your place of work? Note that you can’t hide this gospel, it is a light, that can’t be covered. So if you claim to have received this gospel, let its light shine to the people of the world through you.
When you don’t believe the Acts of the Apostles, you are not believing the true gospel.
Apart from taking the bad from you, the gospel of Jesus also adds to you. After taking off the old man, we are to put on the new man. Fill your heart with the word of God, only then can you have revival. God doesn’t want us to remain the same even after accepting the gospel of Christ. He wants us to bear fruits. He wants us to stand for him in all of our dealings. He doesn’t want us to compromise.
In conclusion, by your fruits shall you be known. What examples are you laying for your children at home? Do they see Christ in you? What is your relationship with people in the household of faith like? Do you demonstrate tribalism, do you relate with people from your tribe alone? There is no such thing as Hausa gospel, or the English gospel. God is one, and His gospel is one. He isn’t African or European. He is Spirit. Simple!
God bless you.