A Gospel Snapshot! Gospel Power: New Testament Truth Of God's Kingdom

Even if you don't live in the U.S., you undoubtedly know what The Constitution of the United States of America is. This is the document established by our government, and ratified by all of the states. In essence at least, it governs us, protects us, and shows how this nation is meant to be.

The gospel of the New Testament is like the Constitution of the U.S. It governs us, protects us, and shows how God's Kingdom is meant to function in our lives.

The Old Testament is incomplete. As important as it is in itself, as being the way of life for the people who lived under it, it is not meant for us today. Paul says we should only minister the New Testament (II Cor 3:6). He says we should NOT minister the Old because it produced spiritual death while the New gives life.

The Old Testament, through the law, demanded what it could not produce. The New Testament, by means of the cross, produces in us what it does not demand. This difference is so huge, the two cannot be combined. Thus Jesus said, "Don't pour New wine into Old bottles."

Too many Christians think that the gospel is only about salvation - it gets us into heaven. It is not. This is the result of the gospel, but it does not define the gospel. The gospel must be accepted by faith, and it must be lived now. The first command of Jesus was for us to repent - of all other beliefs - and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

The gospel can be defined in John's terms of (1) light, (2) love, and (3) life. Elaborated, this is:

+ The gospel is God's revealed truth to us (how his Kingdom works),

+ The gospel is knowing God's unconditional, incomprehensible love for us, and

+ The gospel is entering into oneness with God - his Zo life.

+ The gospel shows everything our Father has done for us, his kids, in the finished work of Jesus.

+ The gospel shows us all the free things we have in God's Kingdom, and one of the Holy Spirit's jobs is to show us all these free things (I Cor 2:12).

+ The gospel allows us to experience the person, presence, and power of God.

+ The gospel is our identity: who we are in Christ.

+ The gospel shows us who we are on this earth, and why we are on this earth.

+ The gospel allows us to think the thoughts of God, and to know his ways and will.

+ The gospel is God's process in us that empowers and drives everything in our lives.

The gospel is also salvation, but this is only entry level Christianity. It's like walking through the gate at Disney World, but never taking another step. There is so much more to see. Religion is all about what people are meant to do. Christianity is not a religion. It is relationship with God that gives us equality with Jesus, all the gifts of the Kingdom, and God's presence and power in our everyday lives.