What Is the Gospel?
By R. C. Sproul
There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they're preaching the gospel to you when they tell you, 'you can have a purpose to your life', or that 'you can have meaning to your life', or that 'you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.' All of those things are true, and they're all important, but they don't get to the heart of the gospel.
The gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I'm not. And at the end of my life, I'm going to stand before a just and holy God, and I'll be judged. And I'll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it–or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn't possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
The gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I'm not. And at the end of my life, I'm going to stand before a just and holy God, and I'll be judged. And I'll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it–or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn't possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn't concerned to protect His own integrity. He's a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead–so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ's life and death is by putting your trust in Him and in Him alone. You do that, you're declared just by God, you're adopted into His family, you're forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.
Reformed?
What It Means to be Reformed
One of the best ways to help describe to someone what it means to be a Reformed Christian is by using the the Five Solas of the Reformation. These were the battle cries heard around the world that came out of the Protestant Reformation.
History of the Five Solas
The historical setting of the Reformation involved serious disagreements with the Church of Rome over certain doctrines and traditions. In an effort to return the church to a proper foundation, the Reformers sought to clarify biblical teaching in main areas of belief and practice. The chief areas of reform can be summarized by what is sometimes referred to as the five solas of the Protestant Reformation (“sola” is Latin for “alone” or “only”).
Sola gratia ("grace alone")
Salvation comes by grace only, not through any merit on the part of the sinner. The sinner does not earn or deserve God’s mercy and forgiveness; it is given freely as a gift.
Sola fide ("faith alone")
Justification (that is, being declared guiltless before God) is received only through faith. It is not the result of good works or the efforts of the sinner. Even the faith itself is a gift from God.
Sola scriptura ("Scripture alone")
The Bible is the only inspired and authoritative Word of God and is self-interpreting (Scripture interprets Scripture). Although traditions can be good and profitable, they must be informed by the Scriptures. Only the Bible provides the rule for faith and practice in the Christian church and life.
Solus Christus ("Christ alone")
Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. It is only because of His perfect, sinless life and atoning death that any sinner can be right with God. Neither Mary, the saints, nor priests (other than Christ, our great High Priest) can act as our mediator in bringing salvation.
Soli Deo gloria ("Glory to God alone")
Since salvation is accomplished solely and entirely through His works, all glory, honor, and praise is due to God alone.