Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV)
That’s the gospel. What Christ did for us on the cross—gave Himself for our sins. What Christ does for us now by the Spirit—rescues us from the present evil age.
This is the true gospel. Notice who gets the glory: “According to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever” (1:4-5).
On that night when Christ was born, the angels sang, Glory to God in the highest. Why? Because God did for us what we could never do for ourselves or for each other. This Christ bore the curse for us in His death on the cross. He graciously receives us, forgives us, makes us children and heirs of God the Father, and then by His Spirit makes His home with us. He lives His life through us! “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (6:14).
There are many Christians who delight in themselves, or in their church. What the world needs today is Christians and churches who delight in the gospel.
What is at the center of your interest and affections? Yourself and your experience? The church and her ministry? Christ and His gospel?
