Question: What is ‘the gospel’?

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Richard Agee answers a submitted question — “What is the Gospel?” Unfortunately, the answer is not often clearly communicated.

The gospel isn’t just about personal salvation, but about God’s kingdom. This kingdom is both spiritual and physical, requiring us to align our lives with God’s righteousness.

The “gospel” is an invitation to live as if God is already ruling, seeking His purposes daily.

Jesus consistently preached repentance and the coming of God’s transformative reign. Repentance is the gateway, and obedience is the path. The good news isn’t just about forgiveness, but about participating in God’s ultimate restoration plan.

Unveiling the True Gospel: The Kingdom of God Revealed

Have you ever wondered what the gospel really means? Not just the simplified version we often hear in churches, but the deep, transformative message that Jesus and the apostles actually preached? Let me take you on a journey of understanding that challenged everything I thought I knew about the good news.

The Meaning of Gospel: More Than Just Salvation

The word “gospel” (εὐαγγέλιον – euangelion in Greek) literally means “good news.” But what news? For years, I believed it was simply about personal salvation – that Jesus died for my sins and I could go to heaven. While that’s part of the story, it’s not the whole story.

Jesus consistently preached about one central theme: the Kingdom of God (מַלְכוּת אֱלֹהִים – Malkhut Elohim in Hebrew). In Matthew 4:23, we see his primary message:

“Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.”

Repentance: The Gateway to the Kingdom

Here’s where it gets challenging. The gospel isn’t just about feeling good or receiving forgiveness. It’s a call to radical transformation. Jesus’ first message was simple but profound: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).

Repentance isn’t just saying sorry. It’s a complete reorientation of your life. It’s about aligning yourself with God’s ultimate plan – His kingdom coming to earth.

The Kingdom: Spiritual and Physical Reality

Many of us spiritualize the kingdom, making it some ethereal, abstract concept. But the kingdom of God is both spiritual and physical. It’s not just about what happens in your heart, but how that internal transformation manifests in the real world.

Think about it like this: Just as Jesus is our Sabbath rest (spiritual), there’s also a literal Sabbath (physical). The kingdom operates on the same principle – it’s comprehensive, touching every aspect of existence.

Seeking the Kingdom: A Daily Practice

So, what does seeking the kingdom look like practically? It’s about living as if God is already reigning. It’s about understanding that God is going to “reset” the world back to His original design.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a powerful directive:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

This isn’t a suggestion – it’s a fundamental approach to life.

The Righteousness Connection

You can’t separate the kingdom from righteousness. They’re interconnected. Seeking the kingdom means actively pursuing God’s standards of justice, love, and holiness. It’s about asking daily, “How can I align my life with God’s purposes?”

Understanding God’s Ownership

God owns us. We’re part of His kingdom, just like citizens are part of a nation. We have two choices: obey or disobey. And just like breaking a country’s laws has consequences, stepping outside God’s kingdom has spiritual ramifications.

The Wrath and the Mercy of God

Let’s be clear – this isn’t just about warm, fuzzy feelings. The kingdom message includes understanding God’s justice. The Torah and prophets speak about God’s wrath against sin. Revelation describes a powerful, transformative judgment.

But here’s the good news: Repentance provides an escape. It’s not about fear, but about alignment with God’s ultimate plan.

Practical Steps of Kingdom Living
1. Study Scripture deeply
2. Pray for understanding
3. Live intentionally
4. Serve others
5. Pursue righteousness
6. Be accountable to a community
7. Remain humble

Biblical Foundation

This isn’t a new concept. Look at Acts 1:3 – even after his resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

The apostles understood this. Philip preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12). It was their central message.

A Personal Invitation to your Kingdom Journey

This isn’t just theological theory. It’s an invitation to participate in something bigger than ourselves. The kingdom of God is both a future hope and a present reality we can experience.

Are you ready to move beyond a surface-level understanding of the gospel? Are you prepared to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness?

It starts with a simple prayer: “God, realign my heart with Your purposes. Show me what it means to truly seek Your kingdom.”

This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth everything.

Scriptures to Meditate On:
– Matthew 4:23
– Mark 1:15
– Matthew 6:33
– Acts 1:3
– Revelation 21:1

Hebrew and Greek Words to Remember:
– Euangelion (Gospel/Good News)
– Malkhut Elohim (Kingdom of God)
– Teshuvah (Repentance)

Invitation: Let the kingdom come, not just in heaven, but in every aspect of your life, right here, right now.