MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

After reading Galatians chapter 1, someone recently asked me a simple question, "What is the gospel?" I thought it about a little while, and my answer was equally simple: the gospel is life. The gospel is not a set of ideas, or a list of rules; it is the announcement that real life has broken into a world of death, and it is offered to us in Jesus Christ.

God created human beings to live in relationship with Him. He formed man from dust, and breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). When Adam and Eve sinned, that relationship was damaged, and spiritual and physical death entered the world. But Jesus came to give life, and that is good news (the gospel)! Through Him, we can be born again, spiritually and eternally. The moment we believe, we begin to experience the abundant life He promised.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, ... in this way death came to all people” (Romans 5:12). In Ephesians 2:1, Paul described our natural condition as, “dead in our transgressions and sins.” A dead person cannot give himself life.

The gospel is more than good advice; it is revitalizing. And Jesus did more than teach and inspire.  Early in His ministry, He told Nicodemus, "'No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again'" (John 3:3), which is the work of the Spirit (John 3:6). It's not achievable on our own; God gives spiritual life to those who were dead. Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Being born again is not a metaphor for self-improvement. It is the impartation of spiritual life to those who were spiritually dead. Our new life has both present and eternal dimensions. We're made alive to God now. We begin to know Him, hear His voice, and desire what pleases Him. At the same time, Jesus promises, "'I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand'” (John 10:28). The life we receive is the shared life of the risen Son of God flowing through our ongoing relationship with Him.

Jesus said, "'I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full'” (John 10:10). Also, "'I am the way and the truth and the life'” (John 14:6), and "'I am the resurrection and the life'” (John 11:25). Further, on the cross, Jesus gave His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45). Paul wrote, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). To receive Jesus in faith is to receive life.

Paul explained that those united with Christ in His death are also united with Him in His resurrection. “We were… buried with him… in order that… we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4). He wrote in Ephesians 2:4-5, “God… made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” The Christian is one in whom Christ lives (Galatians 2:20), and our true life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Jesus promised abundant life in the present — peace, joy, love, and the presence of the Spirit — as well as eternal life. This life has purpose: we are made alive to know God and make Him known. The same life that raises us from spiritual death begins to work through us for the sake of others. We become channels for the rivers of living water that flow from those who believe (John 7:38). And yet, the fullness lies on ahead. One day death itself will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26), and we will share fully in His resurrection life.

So - the gospel is life. Life that begins with new birth, grows in abundance, and lasts forever. It's not automatic, but Jesus calls each person individually to receive it: "'Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life'” (John 3:36).

To everyone who has received this life, the call is to experience it more fully. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above… For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). We are also called to share it. The same Jesus who gave life later said, "'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you'” (John 20:21).

In summary: when Adam sinned, death entered the world. Jesus came and died and rose again, bringing life into the world in a new and powerful way. That life is offered to every person who receives it by faith. It is knowing God, being transformed by His grace, living with purpose, and looking forward to a future where death is no more.

This is the gospel. It is life. It is available in Jesus Christ.