What Is the Gospel Message? Understanding God’s Plan of Redemption
The gospel is something I never get tired of hearing. Every time I come back to it, I’m reminded of truths my heart needs, especially when life pulls my focus in too many directions.
Maybe you’ve heard the gospel message many times. Maybe you’re still trying to understand what is the gospel message and why it matters. Wherever you are, this message is worth slowing down for. It is not just for a certain group of people or a certain stage of life. It is a message for all of us.
Let’s take a fresh look at what the gospel truly is, why God sent His Son, what Jesus accomplished, and what it means for us today.
Why God Sent His Son
Wrapped inside the gospel message is a question we do not always like to sit with: Why did God need to send His Son at all?
As much as we may not want to think about it, the answer brings us face to face with something humbling. I talk more about this in Why Must I Be Saved?, but it comes back here too. Sometimes I have to remind myself that my goodness is not something I carry around as part of who I am. I can do good deeds. I can make kind choices. But at the heart of me, that does not erase the sin nature I was born with.
Scripture is clear that our problem is not just what we do, but what we are apart from God.
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Left to ourselves, we follow what feels right, what makes sense to us, what seems harmless. Yet the Bible shows us that our own way leads us away from God, not toward Him. That is why the gospel is not about self-improvement. It is about rescue.
God did not send His Son because humanity needed a little help or better guidance. He sent His Son because we were lost and could not bring ourselves back.
1 Timothy 1:15
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
2 Corinthians 5:19
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.”
The reason God sent Jesus is rooted in both truth and love. Truth about our condition. Love in His desire to bring us back to Himself.
Jesus’ Work: What Made the Gospel Real
At the heart of the gospel is what Jesus did for us. Nothing changes without it. He didn’t just talk about salvation. He lived it, died for it, rose from the dead, and made a way for us to be reconciled to God.
Here are four key parts of His work:
1. He Lived a Sinless Life
Jesus alone met the perfect standard we could never reach. He never sinned, which made Him the only one qualified to save us (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He was sinless because only a perfect life could satisfy God’s holiness and take the penalty for our sins.
2. He Died for Our Sins
Jesus took the punishment we deserved so we could be forgiven (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). His death shows both God’s justice and His love. Because Jesus died, we are offered grace and reconciliation.
3. He Rose and Ascended
Jesus conquered death, securing eternal life and now intercedes for us before God (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 8:34). He is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5), the first to rise in a glorified body and never die again. His resurrection proves that God accepted His sacrifice and guarantees that those who belong to Him will also share in eternal life. The ascension places Him at God’s right hand as our eternal advocate.
4. He Sent the Holy Spirit
Jesus did not leave us on our own. He sent the Spirit to guide, empower, and transform us (John 14:26; Acts 1:8). The Spirit also serves as a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14). He assures us that the new life Jesus purchased is secure and ongoing, giving us confidence in our salvation and in God’s promises.
Summary Thought
Each of these steps is essential. Sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection and ascension, and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Together they show the power, completeness, and love of God in rescuing humanity.
The Kingdom of God: God’s Eternal Plan
When Jesus preached, a big part of His message was the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. This is not just about heaven after we die. It is about God’s rule and reign, His ways being done, and His people living under His guidance now and forever.
1. God’s Plan from Eternity
The Kingdom was predestined by God. From eternity, He planned to bring His people into this Kingdom. Scripture shows this:
Ephesians 1:4–5 – God chose us in Christ before the world began, predestining us for adoption as His children.
Romans 8:29–30 – Those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Predestination shows that God’s plan is intentional and sure and assures us that our salvation and transformation are part of His eternal purpose.
2. Heirs of the Kingdom
We are not only under God’s rule, but we are also adopted children and heirs of the Kingdom. Jesus taught that entry is through faith, humility, and obedience, not by our own efforts (Matthew 5:3–10; Luke 18:16–17). Being heirs means we share in God’s promises, blessings, and the inheritance prepared for those who belong to Him.
3. Living Under God’s Rule
Even now, the Kingdom impacts how we live. It calls us to align our hearts and actions with God’s ways, showing love, mercy, and justice in everyday life. Jesus’ teachings guide us in walking under His rule while we await the fullness of the Kingdom to come.
4. Hope and Future Inheritance
The Kingdom gives us hope. It reminds us that God is in control, that His work is perfect, and that our ultimate inheritance is secure. We are part of a story that began before time and continues beyond eternity.
Judgment: God’s Justice and Our Accountability
A key part of the gospel message is that God will judge the world. Judgment is not random or unfair. It reflects His holiness, His justice, and His truth. Scripture tells us:
2 Corinthians 5:10 – All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what they have done, good or bad.
Matthew 25:31–46 – Jesus describes the final separation of people, showing the results of our choices.
Acts 17:31 – God has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness through the man He has appointed.
Here are some key points to understand about judgment:
1. God’s Justice
God is completely fair and holy. Judgment shows that His ways are right and His rules are just. Nothing is overlooked, and no wrongdoing goes unnoticed.
2. Accountability for Our Lives
Every choice we make matters. Judgment reminds us that our lives have significance and that how we respond to God’s truth has real consequences.
3. Rewards and Consequences
Judgment is not only about punishment. It also affirms God’s promises and rewards. Those who belong to Him and follow His ways will share in the inheritance of His Kingdom.
4. The Invitation to Respond
The reality of judgment is meant to lead us to Him, not frighten us. Salvation is a gift, and judgment shows why believing on Jesus is urgent and life-changing. God calls everyone to turn to Him and trust in what He has done.
The Gospel Through Time
From the very beginning, God has been revealing His plan to save a lost world. The gospel is not new, it has been unfolding through history, through the promises, the prophets, and finally in Jesus Christ.
It shows God’s heart, His love, and His justice. It calls us to believe on Him, live under His Kingdom, and remember that one day, all will be held accountable.
The message is simple, yet life-changing: God has made a way, and His plan is sure.
Hi, I’m Dana, the voice behind Exhortations for Today. I’m a grandmother called Nonna, a home cook, and an aspiring quilter. I believe in the power of God’s Word to recharge and renew the weary soul. Here, I share devotionals, Bible study tips, and reflections on living a faith-filled life. Want to learn more about my journey? Read more about me here.
