The Gospel Is Everything

By Danny Saavedra  

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."—Titus 3:3–7 (NIV)

Have you ever seen an ad where someone is selling a diet that changed their life? They feature amazing before and after photos. The advertiser is passionate and pumped about the program because their health, self-esteem, and overall life improved. Now they’re on a mission to help others achieve the same results.

As believers, you and I are walking monuments and talking billboards for the power of God to save and transform. We are living epistles. And like the people who so passionately promote their life-changing programs, we must do everything in our power to share the gospel because the gospel is everything! 

Before I surrendered my life to Jesus, I was full of shame, guilt, pain, despair. I hated myself, I hated my life, I felt empty and hopeless. I was a slave to sin, to lust, to anger, and to the acceptance of others. I felt truly alone in the world, and I was far from God. According to Ephesians 2:1, I was dead in my transgressions and sins. According to Ephesians 2:3, I was deserving of wrath. Romans 5:10 says I was God’s enemy.

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.” That’s the gospel in all its glory right there! We are sinners, guilty, deserving of death, deserving of wrath, unworthy of standing before a holy and perfect God, but He still saved us. That word for save means to make whole, to heal. How? By giving us a new life and a new purpose through the Holy Spirit.

And why did He do that? So that now, having been made right with Him, justified by His grace, we might become beloved children, heirs having the hope of eternal life.

The word hope is misused a lot. “I hope I get an A.” “I hope the Dolphins win.” It’s almost like wishful thinking. The biblical word for hope; however, is like an anchor for our souls. It’s a certainty, a joyful and confident expectation.

It’s not like, “I hope I inherit eternal life,” it’s a certainty that says, “I can’t wait to spend eternity with the same God and Savior who loves me and died for me and has prepared a place for me in His kingdom as a prince and beloved son!”

But until we experience that blessed hope, until our Savior comes back for us, may we walk in good works and live the kind of life that helps others meet Jesus and be transformed by His love!

DIG: What is your gospel transformation story?

DISCOVER: Why did God choose to get the gospel out into the world through us? What is it about those who have been born again that can make our preaching and evangelism so effective?

DO: Is there someone you’ve been building relational equity with but have yet to take the step of sharing the gospel with them? Make today the day! Today, share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone—it could be a friend, coworker, neighbor, server, classmate, family member . . . whoever the Holy Spirit directs you to share with.