The Gospel

 

 

The Gospel is more than

The Christmas story,

It is more than a universal sect

On their way to glory.

 

The Gospel is more than

Some man-made edict

Proclaimed on Sunday mornings

From a sacred pulpit.

 

The Gospel is more than

That feel good elixir

To bring to someone’s difficult day

A brighter picture.

 

The Gospel is more than

The water-down homily

To further enrich the dynasties

Of the already wealthy.

 

 

 

The Gospel is more than

The emotive altar calls

That stress coming to the altar

As if this is all.

 

The Gospel is more than

The sinner’s prayer

Recited by the so-called seeker

For heaven down here.

 

The Gospel is more than

An escape from hell

To which the filthy rich and famous

Are headed pell-mell.

 

The Gospel is more than

Meeting my felt need

By way of some miraculous event

Or righteous deed.

 

The Gospel is more than

 All of the above,

It is really about a gracious God

And transcending love.

 

Known by many names

And quite a few titles

But knowing Yahweh personally

Is extremely vital.

 

It’s lifesaving for the now

And for all eternity

And from old it was proclaimed

To all humanity.

 

 

 

The Gospel is Christological:

Centred on Christ

Who, to redeem us from the curse,

Gave up his life.

 

The incarnate Son of God

Died upon a cross

Crucified by his created subjects

That were eternally lost.

 

To save them from wrath:

The wrath of their Creator,

Who, through their idolatrous acts,

Became God-haters.

 

Judgment was pronounced

And there was no escape

Unless, as was divinely instituted,

One their place did take.

 

Thus entered Emmanuel

Into humanity’s world

Who actually became “God with us”

As shown in the Word.

 

The Word became flesh

And dwelt among us

In the form of God’s incarnate Son,

Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

The Gospel is Theological:

Conceived by God

Who sent His only begotten Son

To redeem us all. 

 

To buy us back as it were

After the great fall

When our fore parents had chosen

To heed Satan’s call.

 

Choosing Satan’s lie

As he deceptively implied

Rather than the direct instruction

Which God supplied.

 

The Gospel is Biblical

From Genesis to Revelation

In which the Father’s promise unfolded

In our actual salvation.

 

According to the Scriptures

Jesus was born, lived and died,

And then the glorious resurrection

After he was crucified.

 

The Gospel is Biblical

Thus, it’s a divine revelation

In which God through Jesus Christ

Secured our redemption.

 

 

 

The Gospel is Apostolic

As in the words of the Apostles,

The core of whom in Holy Scripture

Were Jesus’ disciples.

 

Paul was at the forefront

Ably supported by Peter,

Add to these James, John and more:

Most of whom were martyred.

 

Martyred for the Gospel

Was their highest honour

When they gave their life for the one

For whom they laboured.

 

 

 

The Gospel is Historical;

It is not a fairy tale,

Though legendary, it is not a legend

As in fictional detail. 

 

The characters are real:

The main one being Christ

And the fact that he created time

Should also suffice.

 

The Gospel is Personal

And this is amazing,

That God wants a personal relationship

Is truly liberating.

 

Jesus knows his sheep

And he calls each by name,

Thus, this personal relationship denotes

No two are the same.

 

He invites you and me

To a relationship with him

Such that all who positively respond,

He saves from sin.

 

Via the Holy Spirit

He walks with me and you,

None is more personal than that,

This is true.

 

The ‘whosoever’

Speaks to the individual

That the Father draws to His Son

To make up His people. 

 

The Gospel is Universal:

Meaning the whole world,

For God so loved, the Bible says-

I’m sure you’ve heard.

 

It is to be proclaimed

To all nations and tribes

And any who call on the name of Jesus

Will not be despised.

 

Pertaining to our end

Most of us are concerned,

Thus, The Gospel is Eschatological:

Of such we can learn.

 

Life is the opportunity

To make our election sure,

“Come unto me,” Jesus now beckons

To open our heart’s door.

 

The change that you need

You need look no more,

The Gospel is transformational-

Real change is assured.

 

Now hear the bad news:

We all were born in sin

But The Gospel is the Good News:

Sinners are invited in. 

 

According to the Scriptures

Christ died but has risen

And all that put their trust in him

Will definitely be forgiven.

Forgiven of their sins

Present, past and future,

And none can pluck us from his hand:

Not a single creature.

 

 

 

The Gospel is all this

And I dare say, even more,

Whosoever believes shall not perish,

John 3:16 assures.

 

Stewart Russell © September 16, 2025