Explaining the Gospel

For people who are not sure what we mean when we say 'the gospel', here's my attempt to explain it as I see it.  To check it out for yourself, you'll have to read the Bible.


The word gospel literally means 'good news.'  


The Gospel (in my interpretation) is the good news of a deliverance from sin's penalty and a path on the way to salvation.  The gospel is not an afterthought to be included once in awhile, but is of first importance because it is through the gospel that God works to take all people from death to life.


Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."


In short, in order for us to get to heaven, sin must be somehow removed or paid for.  That's where Jesus stepped in.  He came into this world to die for those sins, so that each of  us would have the chance to go to heaven, for eternity.


The gospel is God's good news to everyone.  This gospel is received by faith; salvation is the gift of God.  It's all free, my friends.


I'm not ashamed of the gospel and want to shout it out to everyone that doesn't know what it is.  God has given a lost world good news.  Why would anyone reject the gospel?