The written word can be inspirational. But there is no more inspiring book than the Bible’s gospel story of what Christ did for us. Some stories might make you feel good about your life. Some other stories might make you want to make a difference in the world. But the gospel is the only story that can change your life and the lives of others from now and into eternity.
The Good News of Christ’s Triumph Over Death
In his letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul writes:
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NIV)
In this passage of Scripture, Paul reminds the church of the good news (i.e. gospel) that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and overcame death in his resurrection. That gospel truth is still true for us today. Romans 5:12-20 (NIV) similarly reminds us that sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and was overcome by one man (Christ). And what’s more, Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8 NIV).
The Good News of Christ’s Sacrifice for Sin
When you hear and understand the gospel, you come face to face with a Savior that loves you enough to have suffered and died for your sins, while you were still trapped in your transgressions. In his letter to the Church in Colossae, Paul further explains:
“He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:13b-15 NIV)
Christ triumphed over sin and the powers of this world. His once and for all sacrifice is the only way for us to stand before God without sin. As Hebrews 9:12 (NLT) says, “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” The blood that Christ poured out for us on the cross washes away our sins, and makes us blameless in the eyes of God.
Responding to the Good News of the Resurrection
So how will you respond to this news? For those who believe in Christ, there is a marvelous gift waiting – an eternity in heaven with Jesus, the “founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). But before we are united with him in heaven, we are called to imitate the life of Christ in our life here on earth. The words of 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) tell us that, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” While we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NIV), we are a “new creation” when we accept Christ as our Savior (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV), and he carries on that good work in us until he returns (Phillipians 1:6 NIV).
Christian Prayer Breakfast Fort Worth Tarrant County
The Christian Prayer Breakfast Fort Worth Tarrant County believes that there is power in prayer, and where two or three gather in God’s name that He is with them (Matthew 18:20 NIV). This is why we gather each year to pray for our local, state and national leaders, while also hearing an inspiring message that shares the gospel of Jesus. Learn more about the organization’s annual prayer breakfast.
