“Paul… set apart for the gospel of God.” Romans 1:1 (NASB)

According to the New Testament, the gospel (or good news) is…

• All people sin by disobeying or refusing to conform to God’s perfect standard.
• Sin separates a person from God.
• Sin places a person under God’s righteous anger (or wrath).
• Sin results in physical death.
• Every person who dies faces God’s judgment for sin.
• Therefore, all people are under God’s wrath, will die, and will face judgment.
• God offers hope in the form of salvation in Jesus.
• Jesus died in our place.
• Jesus bore God’s wrath for us.
• Jesus paid the penalty for our sin.
• Jesus reconciles us to God.
• Jesus’ work must be received by faith.
• A person must trust in Jesus as the way of salvation.
• By trusting, God reconciles His fellowship with the person.
• God declares him righteous and provides escape from wrath.
• God gives him new life by placing the Holy Spirit in him.
• This salvation is available to all people who will receive it by faith.

These sentences are not new or especially well-written. They contain no secret meaning or fresh perspective. The truths they present are older than time. These truths form a story. The story is the gospel. The story is the good news.

The story is true. The story is universal. The story is foundational. The story is messy. The story is ugly. The story is beautiful. The story is sad. The story is happy. The story is confusing. The story makes perfect sense. The story is terrifying. The story is surprising. The story is powerful. The story is amazing. The story is life changing. The story is the gospel. The story must be told. For the story is the good news.

Good news for me. Good news for you. Good news for all people.

If your life has been changed by this good news, then follow Paul’s lead and live for this good news.