I imagine this as sort of a "quick hitter" to elicit some discussion or considerations...
Some may see variations in "the gospel of God", "the gospel of Paul", "the gospel of the kingdom", etc. but I don't want to get bogged down in the nuance of "gospel", only that it means "good news". Specifically: good news for mankind.
Some considerations:
1. Being saved from Hell is not the most important characteristic of the gospel. One would have to believe that God created us just to save us from Hell or the second death. If that was the case, then God could have simply destroyed Man v 1.0 and created Man v 2.0. I mean, how cheap is dirt? Just give it another go. The purpose for the gospel is something greater than saving man from damnation. It certainly is one quality of the gospel but it is not the focus. To be sure: I like being saved from Hell and the second death very much! Which leads to #2.
2. Going to Heaven when you die is not the most important characteristic of the gospel. Again, don't get me wrong: I like this a lot. In fact, if I'm no longer in this side of creation you may assume I am with the Lord on the other side. I like that very much but again, being with the Lord when you die is just a consequence of the gospel. Now, if I die when the Lord is coming back I won't make it all the way to heaven - I will be with Him. So, I will be content to be with Him wherever He is.
3. In Adam, God retained the purpose for the gospel. God did not keep Adam around for 930 years as an expression of mercy. Adam was the first man to walk with God - the Bible tells us that Enoch and Noah also walked with God. Adam, in creation, is also called the first "son of God". We should understand that that means God's imprint and nature were intrinsic characteristics of Adam. Even after the fall, God gave Adam a long life. So, God's initial chosen vessel for His nature, now fallen, remained in creation by God's grace.
4. Creation was designed to support the prime directive of the gospel. We should know that everything was created according to the will of the Lord. This isn't just an expression of creativity or kindness. We should understand that every element of creation gets its value and utility from the Lord. It is all designed by Him to lead to Him. This is the pivot point of wisdom: ultimately God is retained in everything. The Lord did not miss something nor was anything made haphazardly. No. All of creation, in heaven and earth, was made by Him and through Him. This leads us to the end of the gospel:
5. The gospel is about the restoration of all things, including man, in Christ. For non-man things, this is a creation without spot or blemish that does not rot, die, or diminish in time. Time is contained within but has no bearing on its viability. For man, God, our Father, will have a perfect man according to the standard of the Lord just as it is written: "..to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...". Scripture tells us that the Lord is accomplishing this: "..God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." In the fullness of time (so, on this side of creation) the Lord will accomplish this:
"..in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him..."
In short: the gospel is that we are, as God's workmanship, being moved to the standard of the One man, Christ.
Some may see variations in "the gospel of God", "the gospel of Paul", "the gospel of the kingdom", etc. but I don't want to get bogged down in the nuance of "gospel", only that it means "good news". Specifically: good news for mankind.
Some considerations:
1. Being saved from Hell is not the most important characteristic of the gospel. One would have to believe that God created us just to save us from Hell or the second death. If that was the case, then God could have simply destroyed Man v 1.0 and created Man v 2.0. I mean, how cheap is dirt? Just give it another go. The purpose for the gospel is something greater than saving man from damnation. It certainly is one quality of the gospel but it is not the focus. To be sure: I like being saved from Hell and the second death very much! Which leads to #2.
2. Going to Heaven when you die is not the most important characteristic of the gospel. Again, don't get me wrong: I like this a lot. In fact, if I'm no longer in this side of creation you may assume I am with the Lord on the other side. I like that very much but again, being with the Lord when you die is just a consequence of the gospel. Now, if I die when the Lord is coming back I won't make it all the way to heaven - I will be with Him. So, I will be content to be with Him wherever He is.
3. In Adam, God retained the purpose for the gospel. God did not keep Adam around for 930 years as an expression of mercy. Adam was the first man to walk with God - the Bible tells us that Enoch and Noah also walked with God. Adam, in creation, is also called the first "son of God". We should understand that that means God's imprint and nature were intrinsic characteristics of Adam. Even after the fall, God gave Adam a long life. So, God's initial chosen vessel for His nature, now fallen, remained in creation by God's grace.
4. Creation was designed to support the prime directive of the gospel. We should know that everything was created according to the will of the Lord. This isn't just an expression of creativity or kindness. We should understand that every element of creation gets its value and utility from the Lord. It is all designed by Him to lead to Him. This is the pivot point of wisdom: ultimately God is retained in everything. The Lord did not miss something nor was anything made haphazardly. No. All of creation, in heaven and earth, was made by Him and through Him. This leads us to the end of the gospel:
5. The gospel is about the restoration of all things, including man, in Christ. For non-man things, this is a creation without spot or blemish that does not rot, die, or diminish in time. Time is contained within but has no bearing on its viability. For man, God, our Father, will have a perfect man according to the standard of the Lord just as it is written: "..to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...". Scripture tells us that the Lord is accomplishing this: "..God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." In the fullness of time (so, on this side of creation) the Lord will accomplish this:
"..in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him..."
In short: the gospel is that we are, as God's workmanship, being moved to the standard of the One man, Christ.
